Gunpowder Tea
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An Explosive Chinese Green Tea

Gunpowder Tea is a well known Chinese green tea, native to Zhejiang Province. These gentle leaves are carefully rolled in such a way as to make them resemble black powder grains, hence its name. This peculiar beverage will provide you with an experience you will not forget.



Not only green tea antioxidants will protect your body and mind but you will also enjoy every sip of this sweet, smoky tea.

Embark with us on this adventure and be prepared to discover once again the amazing benefits of drinking green tea and unfold a little bit more of green tea history.

Originally named Pearl tea, Gunpowder tea has been delighting tea lovers since the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 AD).
It is said that its name was given by a British clerk in the 1800's, due to its similarity with 18th century gunpowder pellets.

This fine tea begins its life right after picking. The leaves are then withered to remove moisture, steamed and then rolled.

This is when art begins. Nowadays, machines do the picking and rolling, except when preparing higher grades of Gunpowder tea. This rolling method allows the leaves to stay fresh longer than other teas, retaining more flavour and aroma while protecting the leaves from possible damage.

This method is often used to produce Oolong teas. Tie Guan Yin is a fine example of it. Have a look at it and discover what Oolong tea has to offer you.

Gunpowder Tea Varieties

Nowadays, Gunpowder tea is not only produced in Zhejiang Province, but also in the provinces of Guangdong, Anhui, Hunan and Fujian. We can also find it outside China, namely in Sri Lanka (former Ceylon) and Taiwan.

Therefore, depending on the type of leaves used and where they came from, you can enjoy several types of Gunpowder. Here are some varieties you can try:

- Pingshui Gunpowder is the most common variety and it is usually sold as Temple of Heaven Gunpowder. With this tea you will enjoy a more powerful aroma, colour and larger pellets.

- Formosa Gunpowder is grown in Taiwan and it stands out for having its own character. Its fragrance differs from Gunpowder tea grown in the Zhejiang Province, because the processing method behind this tea is very close to that of taiwanese oolong tea. This is why Formosa Gunpowder resembles in taste and fragrance fresh or roasted oolongs.

- Ceylon Gunpowder is produced in Sri Lanka at high altitudes (approx. 1.800m).

Unlike other green teas, such as Sencha tea or Bancha tea, this peculiar drink is unroasted and denser than most teas. It is refreshing, magical and it offers you a soft honey taste, followed by a smoky hint.

A strong characteristic you may also find in Lapsang Souchong tea, a Chinese black tea.

This sweet taste and nutty aroma are then combined with powerful green tea health benefits which will protect you from free radicals and bacteria. It keeps you and your loved ones protected and healthy.

Join us, have a cup of tea and prepare to enter the fantastic world of Gunpowder green tea health benefits.

Gunpowder Tea Benefits

• Fights Cardiovascular Diseases
  
  Gunpowder tea, like all green tea, is extremely rich in antioxidants, especially catechins and the most abundant is the famous EGCG.
  
  Green tea antioxidants have the ability to inhibit the enzymes that produce free radicals, thus preventing the development of cardiovascular diseases. If you wish to lower blood pressure, cholesterol and your triglyceride levels, this is a good way to start! Green tea can also reduce the chance of having coronary artery disease.
  
  It inhibits atherosclerosis and prevents the formation of blood clots!


• Cancer Prevention
  
  Again EGCG comes across as a great ally in the fight against free radicals, by inhibiting the necessary enzymes to the growth of cancer cells. The combination of flavonoids, catechins and minerals strengthen your metabolism and make it much stronger to fight cancer.
  Start taking it in the morning. It is a good way to wake you up, give you the energy you need and it will keep you protected all day.
  
  Take care of yourself, you deserve it!


• Helps Prevent Type II Diabetes
  
  Studies have shown that if you suffer from diabetes, drinking green tea may improve glucose tolerance and insulin sensibility. Again your cholesterol and triglyceride levels will be lower and if you combined the consumption of green tea with healthy eating habits you may as well prevent type II diabetes! How amazing is that?
  
  Give Gunpowder tea a try! Start drinking it now and enjoy a healthier life at the same time! That is the key!


• Promotes Fat Loss
  
  You have certainly asked yourself how to lose body fat in a healthy and fast way. Well as you know there aren’t miracle diets but this Chinese weight loss tea may help you.
  
  Gunpowder tea, as a green tea, combines three major allies that burn fat and build muscle: catechins, caffeine and theanine. These important compounds will boost your metabolism and allow you to burn fat much faster, so next time you plan to work out, why not drink some green tea before?
  
  It is a great coffee alternative since it has more caffeine than other green teas, 35-40mg per serving, so you will increase your exercise endurance and you will burn more fat in a healthier way! It looks appealing doesn’t it? Keep in mind that it doesn’t work by itself.
  
  You must maintain a healthy diet and exercise, so start moving and drinking Gunpowder tea to feel healthy and energetic!


• Fights Flu Symptoms
  
  Sneezing, coughing or fever… Are you feeling symptoms of flu coming? Don’t worry. The key is to fight it as soon as possible, so why not start drinking Gunpowder tea? Green tea antioxidants, especially EGCG have been known for inhibiting influenza symptoms and reducing the duration of the disease.
  
  Try drinking Gunpowder tea and let it do wonders for you and your family. Give this flu treatment a try.

Green tea history is a treasure waiting to be revealed and discovered by you. Please continue and have a look at our page Green Tea Health Benefits to enjoy everything this beverage has to offer you.

Now that you have read about the importance of having green tea in your life, let’s get ready to prepare the perfect cup of Gunpowder tea. It is a very important and yet an easy process, that you will master in no time at all. So let’s go through the steps and start…

Try this wonderful Chinese Green Tea now!

or pick from a selection of gunpowder teas at amazon.co.uk

Drinking Gunpowder Tea

Without further delay, here is the answer to:
How to make Gunpowder tea?

First, use porcelain tea ware. If possible, choose a white porcelain tea cup so that you can see the true color of your tea.

Also very important is to always use spring water to enhance and protect its flavour. Tap water may alter the flavour of your tea greatly, as its taste may vary depending on the mineral content of the water sources in your region.

Always rinse your tea cups and tea pots with hot water to pre warm them.
The ideal water temperature should be 70ºC - 80ºC (158ºF - 176ºF).

Green teas are more delicate, so you shouldn’t boil the water. If you are becoming passionate about tea, consider buying a thermometer in a tea shop.

Since Gunpowder is denser than other teas, use just one teaspoon for every 150ml of water.

Let it steep for 1 minute for the first two brewings and increase the steeping time for the following ones. Feel free to try different steeping times till you find the one that suits you better. The rule here is: the longer you let your tea brew, the stronger will be its taste.

Now, for some moments of pure pleasure and delight.
Watch how the pellets unfold in your teapot from those tiny little balls into beautiful leaves. Smell that nutty aroma and enjoy that marvelous yellow liquor in your cup.

Here’s a tip: Do not add milk or sugar. This tea does not need it. If you feel you just can’t drink your tea without sugar, then just add a little bit less every time you brew yourself a cup of this tea. Pretty soon, you’ll be able to enjoy your sugarless tea.

You’ll find that Gunpowder tea is sometimes mixed with peppermint leaves to create a famous blend in the Middle East named Moroccan Mint.

Buying and Keeping Your Gunpowder Tea

Ready to try this tea? Well, when buying Gunpowder, make sure to look for shiny, small, tightly rolled pellets. These are indicators of good quality tea.

To preserve it for long periods of time, don’t forget that it is important to keep your tea fresh so place it somewhere cool, dark, dry and airtight.

And don’t just stop with a cup of tea! You can use your Gunpowder tea to create wonderful green tea recipes! Combine it with red meat or strong flavoured dishes and try hosting a tea party as well. Experiment different dishes and teas with your friends. It is a world worth discovering together!

Isn’t it wonderful how a simple leaf can have so much history and touch every part of our mind and body with its healing power? As you may see, consuming green tea is indeed a pleasure and a gift.

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”In the Taste of a single cup of tea you will eventually discover the truth of all the ten thousand forms in the universe.”
- Attributed to Kyongbong Sunim, Ch'an (Zen) Master