Gun Powder Heaven

Gun Powder Heaven – Green Tea

Origin: China

Infusion Temperature: 80° Celsius

Infusion Time: 3-4 minutes for the first infusion

Serving Size: 3 grams/200 ml

Brewing Recommendations: Bring water to a boil, then let it cool for 2-3 minutes before pouring.

Multiple infusion: Up to 2-3 times, increasing steep time slightly each round.

Vessel: Use a glass or ceramic teapot or gaiwan. Pre-warm the vessel before use.

Experience the timeless elegance of traditional Chinese tea craftsmanship with our Gun Powder heaven Green Tea, a high-grade selection of hand-rolled green tea pearls from the historic tea gardens of Zhejiang Province, China. Harvested in and carefully pan-fired in the classic Chinese method, this tea embodies both visual beauty and depth of flavor.

Named for its striking resemblance to grains of gunpowder, this tea is prized for its longevity, freshness, and bold character. The “Heaven” grade represents the finest quality of Gunpowder tea composed of young, tightly rolled leaves selected for their vibrancy, aroma, and complexity.

Gunpowder tea is immediately recognizable for its distinctive tightly rolled pellets small, shiny balls of dark green tea leaf that shimmer with silver reflections. In China, it is known as “Zhu Cha”, meaning “Pearl Tea”, a poetic reference to the shape and value of each rolled leaf. This rolling technique is not just aesthetic. It serves an important purpose: by compressing the leaves into compact spheres, the natural essential oils and aromatic compounds are preserved, protecting the tea from oxidation and enhancing its shelf life.

Upon infusion, these granules slowly unfurl to reveal whole, vibrant green leaves that seem to dance in the water, releasing a rich, grassy aroma and a bright golden-yellow with hints of olive color. The flavor profile of the Gun Powder green tea offers a vibrant and refreshing flavor, rooted in the terroir of Zhejiang’s mineral-rich soils.

The aroma is a freshly cut grass, toasted greens, and a subtle smokiness offering a taste full-bodied infusion with a brisk, vegetal flavor balanced by a light mineral sharpness and a mild, pleasant astringency. Subtle smoky and metallic notes add depth to the finish. Has a mouthfeel clean, crisp, and refreshing, with lingering complexity and a slightly invigorating bite.

The origin of Gunpowder tea dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) in eastern China. It became renowned for its novel production method, which preserved the leaves more effectively for storage and long journeys. The Western name “Gunpowder” is said to have originated in the 18th century, when a British East India Company clerk noticed the resemblance between the rolled tea leaves and grains of gunpowder. British sailors embraced the term, helping to popularize Gunpowder tea across Europe and North Africa during global maritime trade.

The production process is made using a traditional multi-step process that involves, early morning harvest to tender, mature leaves picked for ideal structure and flavor. The leaves are withering and pan-firing gently dried and pan-fired to halt oxidation. Then hallmark rolling step, where each leaf is hand-rolled or mechanically rolled into compact spheres. Final carefully dried to stabilize and preserve the tea for long-term freshness. This method retains the vibrant green color, natural catechins, and essential oils, making it one of the longest-lasting green teas available.

Gunpowder tea is not only a symbol of Chinese heritage but also a cultural pillar in Moroccan tea rituals. It is the traditional base of the famous Moroccan Mint Tea (Atay), where it is steeped with fresh spearmint and sweetened with cane sugar. Only Gunpowder tea has the strength and body to balance mint’s intensity and create the distinctive bold yet refreshing taste.