Gunpowder Green Tea

Gunpowder Green Tea

Gunpowder Green Tea. Leaves rolled into small, shiny, and tight pearls (known as "gunpowder"). The tea is impressive for its freshness with a vegetal fragrance, a full-bodied and slightly smoky taste giving way to a golden, thirst-quenching liquor.

  • Main notes: Vegetal and slightly smoky notes giving way to an intense and lingering freshness.

  • Leaves: Rolled into tight pearls (Temple of Heaven).

  • Aromatic Profile: The star of mint tea. A tea with a powerful and robust character, the most famous of green teas.

Discover a green tea with character, the pillar of Moroccan tradition. Buy an authentic tea with the best quality-price ratio. A truly convivial tea!

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Gunpowder Green Tea "Temple of Heaven" – Buying, Uses, and Recipes

"Le Comptoir de Toamasina offers you Gunpowder green tea available for purchase. A 'Temple of Heaven' selection (the highest grade) chosen by Arnaud for its tightly rolled leaves and aromatic power."

Exceptional Grade

A "Temple of Heaven" Gunpowder, recognizable by its leaves rolled into small, shiny, and compact pellets.

Power and Character

A tea with full-bodied, slightly smoky, and very thirst-quenching notes. A golden-yellow liquor and a frank taste.

Versatility

The absolute base for traditional mint tea, but also excellent plain for a tonic wake-up call.

This is the essential tea for the mint tea ceremony. Although this tea is most famous in North Africa for preparing mint tea, it originates from the Zhejiang province in China. We offer a superior quality here that guarantees an infusion without excessive bitterness if prepared correctly.

The Origin: Why "Gunpowder"?

Did you know that this name was given to it by the British? In the 19th century, English colonists noticed that the leaves of this tea, rolled into small grey-green balls, bore a strange resemblance to the gunpowder used for ammunition at the time.

What is Gunpowder Tea?

Gunpowder is a green tea from China whose leaves are dried and then rolled up very tightly. This ancestral technique was initially intended to better preserve the tea during long sea voyages. The smaller and shinier the pellets (like our Temple of Heaven selection), the younger and higher quality the tea. Conversely, large, open pellets often indicate an inferior quality tea.

Production: Precise Craftsmanship

The manufacturing process aims to preserve freshness and strengthen the taste:

  • Roasting: The leaves are heated in large woks to stop oxidation (Chinese method).
  • Rolling: This is the key step. The leaves are rolled into balls, trapping the essential oils and aromas inside.
  • Drying: The pellets are dried to become hard and resistant.

How to Prepare and Brew Gunpowder Green Tea?

Gunpowder is more robust than Sencha. It withstands hotter water but requires specific preparation, especially for mint tea. A common question is: how to make real mint tea with Gunpowder? Unlike Sencha, Gunpowder often needs to be "washed" before brewing.

1. The Traditional Method (Mint Tea)

This is the premier method for this tea.

  • Proportion: 1 heaping tablespoon of Gunpowder per 1 liter of water.
  • The Wash (Crucial): Put the tea in the teapot, pour a glass of boiling water over it, swirl the teapot, then discard this water (this rinses the tea and removes excess bitterness). Keep the wet leaves at the bottom.
  • Preparation: Add a bunch of fresh mint and sugar (to taste) over the rinsed leaves.
  • Infusion: Fill with boiling water (90-95°C / 194-203°F). Let steep for 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Service: Pour a glass, pour it back into the teapot. Repeat this operation to mix the sugar. Serve by lifting the teapot high to "froth" the tea.

2. The Western Method (Plain)

To appreciate its full-bodied taste without sugar.

  • Dosage: 12g per liter.
  • Temperature: 80°C to 85°C (176°F - 185°F).
  • Time: 2 to 3 minutes maximum (beyond that, it becomes very astringent).

Use in Cooking and Storage

How to store your Gunpowder? Thanks to its rolled leaves, Gunpowder keeps better than most green teas. Container: Airtight tin. Location: Dry and away from light. It can be kept for 12 to 18 months without losing too much aroma.

Recipe ideas with Gunpowder:

Its smoky and full-bodied taste makes it a great ally in savory cooking:

  • Smoked Fish: Use strong brewed tea to poach white fish.
  • Marinades for Red Meats: Strong Gunpowder + spices + olive oil for marinating lamb.
  • Tea Rice: Cook your rice in a light Gunpowder infusion for an original side dish.
  • Cocktails: A homemade mint tea syrup (very concentrated tea + sugar) to revisit the Mojito.

Buying and Practical Information

Gunpowder is an economical tea because its leaves unfurl enormously: a small amount is enough for a lot of volume.

Caffeine and Benefits: Gunpowder is generally richer in caffeine than Japanese green teas. It is an excellent stimulant for the morning or early afternoon (Energy "Kick"). It is also very rich in antioxidants, especially when of high quality.

Quick FAQ

  • Can I drink it in the evening? Not recommended for people sensitive to caffeine (prefer a Rooibos).
  • Why do my leaves open up? It's a sign of quality! In hot water, the "pearl" returns to its original leaf shape.
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