China Gunpowder – Green Tea

Brew & Taste

This tea, which the Chinese call Zhu cha, is mild and dark. Its leaves have a very pleasant, smooth, grassy aroma. When brewed, China Gunpowder gives a sheer golden yellow beverage with refreshing natural notes and a slight smoky tinge. Of course, there is also the usual subtle bitterness. This is typical of most quality green teas. Connoisseurs also find a distant honey flavor and a slight coppery element in this Gunpowder. You can also try it as an iced tea. It's great for refreshment and re-energizing.

Origins

The province in which this tea grows is traditionally described as "eight parts mountain, one part water and one part soil". Fujian is a hilly region in eastern China, bathed by the South China Sea and surrounded by mountains with the highest peak, Wuyi, lying at the altitude of 2,157m. The country has a subtropical climate, so it's relatively cool in winter (7-10°C) from January to March, and hot the rest of the year (25-35°C). Because the tea-growing area is close to the coast, it is characterized by frequent rainfall and high relative humidity.

China Gunpowder comes from a late harvest, which takes place in late September. The leaves are mostly collected by women and children. They usually pinch them by hand or use special scissors. The harvest follows strict hygiene conditions –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ pickers must not smoke, use perfume and often have to wear gloves. After picking, the green tea is left to wilt and the leaves are rolled into small round pellets or beads. The smaller the size, the higher the quality. Due to its appearance, people call it Gunpowder. The leaves are then roasted to give them a smoky aroma.

Tea packaging preview

We pack our teas in a strong, zip-lock aluminum packet which allows you to easily re-seal its contents. This container protects the quality of the tea against humidity, light or foreign odors, all of which could noticeably affect the quality of the brew.