Discover Gunpowder Green Tea: A Unique Leaf With Ancient Origins

If you love green tea, chances are you’re familiar with Sencha and Matcha. But have you tried Gunpowder Green Tea? Named for its tightly rolled, pellet-like leaves, this distinctive tea has been treasured since the Tang dynasty and remains one of the most versatile and affordable green teas you can buy.

What Makes Gunpowder Green Tea Special?

Gunpowder tea leaves are rolled into small, shiny pellets that unfurl beautifully as they steep. This rolling process helps preserve the tea’s fresh flavour and natural antioxidants longer than most green teas. Traditionally known as zhu cha, or “pearl tea”, Gunpowder green tea delivers a bold, slightly smoky taste that pairs wonderfully with food or stands out on its own.

Thanks to its robust character, you can enjoy Gunpowder tea in countless ways: as a hot brew, an iced infusion, blended with fresh mint, or even mixed into cocktails. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for a green tea with a bit more body and a gentle caffeine lift.

Where Is the Best Gunpowder Green Tea Grown?

Gunpowder tea comes mainly from China and Taiwan, each region offering its own flavour profile:

Pingshui Gunpowder Tea

Harvested in the Zhejiang province of China, Pingshui Gunpowder is celebrated for its smooth, rich flavour. Grown at high elevations by small, dedicated tea estates, this variety offers a clean taste with a mellow sweetness that develops beautifully over multiple infusions.

Formosa Gunpowder Tea

From Taiwan’s lush New Taipei mountains, Formosa Gunpowder has a slightly more assertive, brisk character. Cool mists and mineral-rich soils give the leaves a bright, refreshing edge and a lingering finish. Our Formosa Gunpowder is picked in late spring for peak freshness and flavour.

How to Choose Quality Gunpowder Tea

When shopping for Gunpowder green tea, look for tightly rolled, uniform pellets with a glossy surface. This is a sign of skilled processing and freshness. While Gunpowder tea can be stored longer than loose-leaf varieties, it’s best enjoyed within a year of harvest for a vibrant taste.

You can order premium Organic Gunpowder green tea right here in the UK from Porter Hill Tea Company.

Health Benefits of Gunpowder Green Tea

Like all green tea, Gunpowder is rich in antioxidants that help combat free radicals and support overall wellbeing. But it also stands out for its higher caffeine content compared to most green teas, making it an ideal afternoon pick-me-up. The natural L-theanine in the leaves smooths the caffeine release, giving you steady focus without the jitters you’d get from coffee.

Other potential benefits include:

• Supporting heart health by reducing inflammation and improving circulation
• Aiding digestion thanks to polyphenols that calm the digestive tract
• Helping maintain healthy cholesterol levels as part of a balanced diet

How to Brew Gunpowder Green Tea

Brewing Gunpowder tea is simple and rewarding. Here’s how to make the perfect cup:

1. Measure 

Use 1–2 teaspoons of tea per cup, depending on how strong you like it.

2. Heat 

Bring water to 90°C. If you’re boiling water in a kettle, let it sit for a minute or two to cool slightly.

3. Steep 

For your first infusion, brew for 60–90 seconds. You’ll get a clear, golden liquor with a smooth taste. For a second and third brew, steep the same leaves for a little longer—around 2–3 minutes—to reveal deeper flavours.

If you’re ready to experience this classic tea, try our premium Organic Osprey Gunpowder, sourced for its outstanding quality and taste.

Shop online today and see why Gunpowder green tea has remained a favourite across centuries.