Formosa Gunpowder Green Tea

Description

Formosa Gunpowder Green Tea

Formosa Gunpowder Green Tea, also known as Gunpowder Pinhead Green Tea, or just Gunpowder Green Tea, is unique in shape, how it’s processed and flavor. It’s unique pellet shape is due to how it’s processed. There are several legends about how it got it’s name, one being that the rolled shape resembles a pellet of gunpowder. The flavor is lighter, less grassy, and a bit more vegetal than a traditional green tea, which is usually due to where it’s grown and climate conditions. And due to its processing, it can sometimes have a bit of a smoky flavor.

Gunpowder Tea has a long history going back to the 600’s. The plucked leaves are first left to wither a bit, then steamed as most green teas are, then rolled into the pellet you see. The rolling protects the leaves from damage while handling. To further dry the tea, these pellets are pan-fired to stop any further oxidation

Gunpowder Tea comes from the Zhejiang Provence of China and from around Chi-lung, Taiwan, hence the Formosa name connection.

If you are new to green tea, you might want to start with Formosa Gunpowder, as the flavor is milder. If you are a green tea fan, then you should try it to see if your green tea selection needs expanding with this delightful version.

We have many unflavored green teas from China, Taiwan and Japan. You can experience other tea areas and how they differ in flavor and other characteristics. Take a look at our Dragonwell Green Tea, Japan Kakagawa Green Tea, Fukamushi Sencha Green Tea, and Genmaicha Green Tea.

We have additional green teas from Japan. We work directly with a family in Japan, from whom we buy the Fukamushi Sencha, including Houjicha, Kukicha Twig Tea, Gyokuro, Ceremonial Matcha and Matcha Genmaicha Green Teas.  They are all wonderful and have their own characteristics, which set them apart from their Chinese and Taiwan counterparts.

Steeping Instructions
Hot tea brewing method: Put 1 slightly heaping tsp of loose tea for each 8oz of water in the cup or teapot. Pour the boiled but slightly cooled water over tea. Steep 3 to 7 minutes. Milk and Sugar are not recommended. Makes a wonderful Iced Tea as well.

Iced Tea: For a Liter or quart use 2 heaping Tbsp. of loose tea into teapot. Pour 1 1/4 cup boiling water on tea. Steep 5 minutes. Quarter fill serving pitcher straining tea. Add Ice. Top up with cold water, garnish & sweeten to taste.

Contains: Green tea.