About China Gunpowder Tea
Tea Type
: Green Tea
Tea Forté Gunpowder tea is mainly grown in the Ningbo region situated in the Chinese Zhejiang Province. The leaf of this green tea is hand-rolled into little pellet-shaped balls to preserve the natural oils and retain their natural aroma. When immersed in (near) boiling water these green tea pellets ‘burst open’ and elicit a slightly sweet flavor and the pleasing vegetal quality from a quality gunpowder tea. The pellet-shaped balls resemble 18
th century gunpowder, hence their name.
In China this particular green tea is also referred to as ‘Pearl Tea’. A classic green tea, China Gunpowder is best drunk in pure form. It pairs superbly with most East Asian cuisines, particularly sushi and sashimi. The Chinese refer to gunpowder tea as "bead tea" or "pearl tea." It is believed that the English name for this tea came from the type of gunpowder used in cannons, which usually came as small round pellets.
Green tea is an excellent choice for enjoyment throughout the day. Without milk or sugar, this is a calorie-free beverage that is super-charged with antioxidants. With much less caffeine than coffee, green tea boosts energy but doesn't create jitters.
If you find green tea to be too bitter, try steeping it for a shorter time and/or with cooler water. Steeped properly, there should be very little bitter flavor, rather vegetal, mild and even slightly sweet or nutty. "Cooking" or over-steeping greens is a common mistake for those more familiar with black tea; experiment with steeping to match your own taste.
Read more about Gunpowder Tea:
Preparing the Perfect Cup of Gunpowder Tea
Love It.