Gunpowder Tea
Traditional Chinese Green Tea Rolled into Pellets
Overview
Gunpowder Tea (珠茶) is one of China's most famous green teas, named for its distinctive pellet-shaped rolled leaves that resemble gunpowder pellets. Each pellet is carefully hand-rolled from young tea leaves, creating a unique tea that unfurls during brewing.
The rolling process serves both traditional and practical purposes - it preserves the tea's freshness, allows for long storage, and creates a visually stunning brewing experience as the pellets slowly expand and release their flavor.
Leaf & Cup Characteristics
Dry Leaf
- • Tightly rolled pellets
- • Dark olive to black color
- • Uniform pellet size
- • Slight sheen indicates quality
Infused Cup
- • Bright green to golden liquor
- • Sweet, slightly smoky flavor
- • Nettle or vegetable notes
- • Refreshing, medium body
Production Process
1. Plucking
Two leaves and a bud are plucked in early spring. Only the most tender leaves are selected for the delicate rolling process.
2. Withering
Leaves are withered for 2-3 hours to reduce surface moisture before rolling.
3. Fixation (Pan-frying)
Leaves are quickly heated in iron woks at 180-200°C to stop oxidation and remove bitter compounds.
4. Rolling
This is the defining step - leaves are rolled into tight pellets by hand or machine. The pellets are then dried.
5. Drying
Final drying reduces moisture to 3-5%, allowing the tea to be stored for years while maintaining quality.
Grades of Gunpowder Tea
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| Pinhead | Smallest pellets, highest quality, most tender leaves |
| Pearl | Medium-sized pellets, excellent quality |
| Imperial | Larger pellets, premium grade |
| Standard | Regular size, everyday quality |
Brewing Guide
Parameters
- • Temperature: 75-80°C (165-175°F)
- • Amount: 1 teaspoon per cup
- • Steep Time: 2-3 minutes
- • Reinfusions: 2-3 times
Tips
- • Use slightly cooler water to avoid bitterness
- • Watch pellets unfurl - it's part of the experience
- • Adjust steeping time to taste
- • Excellent for iced tea