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“Yay! My first second steeping of a tea! If I decide to resteep other teas, I’ll probably tack the findings on to the end of the first steep results. But since my last review of Gunpowder was so...” Read full tasting note
“Backlogging from last night.. Bad, I know. I wasn’t sure whether to log this under Honeybush Mango or Gunpowder, since I went half and half with the two teas. This is now my new favorite blend. I...” Read full tasting note
“I got a sample tin of this tea from Ricky in a trade (thanks man!). Now I’ll start off by saying that the first and only experience I’ve had with gunpowder green tea was rather…regretable. It had...” Read full tasting note
“Trying to get rid of this one so I have an empty tin… loved it when I bought it, now I don’t care for it. It’s not bad, I’ve just found other teas I like more.” Read full tasting note
Gunpowder is a classic green tea from Zhejiang province, China. As the name implies, Gunpowder tea is made up of leaves hand-rolled into tiny pellets. These resemble gunpowder, and give this tea its distinct name. Full-bodied cup with a hint of smokiness and a smooth mouthfeel. Blend Gunpowder tea with spearmint to create the famous ‘Moroccan Mint’ tea.
Gunpowder is the world’s oldest known chemical explosive. Made from sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter, it is one of the Four Great Inventions of China, alongside the compass, paper-making, and printing. Though it’s famous for its use in weaponry like guns and cannons—spawning countless movie scenes of exploding barrels or chases to snuff out sparking black lines, it was also used for more constructive purposes like mining and even medicine. Though Gunpowder tea doesn’t carry quite the same explosive punch as its namesake, it is famous for its smokiness and shape, both of which lend themselves to its unique name.
Green Tea | Moderate caffeine | Steep at 180° for 2-3 minutes.
Adagio Teas has become one of the most popular destinations for tea online. Its products are available online at www.adagio.com and in many gourmet and health food stores.
Thank you moraiwe, I’ve been curious as to what gunpowder would taste like. Now I have my newbie personal answer: Toasty and Grassy, I’m a little surprised how much I like it. I know I have liked plain green teas and would describe them as grassy but anytime I read it in a tasting note, I think “ahh, no thanks” especially to the words spinach, green bean, and asparagus. Maybe over time I will learn to get excited over reading those words.
Not sure how often I will reach for it because I’m having so much fun trying flavored teas but I’m more likely choose this over a regular green when the mood strikes. Maybe I will try adding this to another tea, I like the idea I’ve read of adding it to peppermint.
This is a tea I always have at work with me when I forget to bring my tea tumbler or need a green tea pick me up. I love to brew it hot and then after it has steeped add cold water from the water cooler to make an “iced” tea. Very refreshing.
Solid green tea.
A good, solid, reasonably-priced, every-day green tea. I like it more than the Temple of Heaven Gunpowder that you find all over the place (although that stuff does have its charm). Cleaner than mosts other gunpowders I’ve had which is nice.
This has a strong briny scent very reminiscent of miso soup. The flavor is about the same as the smell. Just add tofu and sliced scallions…
Not my favorite, although it would be fine to drink with dinner.
As this gets cooler, the fishy smell and taste are becoming more pronounced – to the point where I can’t finish my cup.
Green tea is my favorite, and this tea is why! It’s smoky and vegetal at the same time, the perfect mix of spinach and campfires, but I mean that in the best way! It’s a good morning cup, the flavor will definitely wake you up. It also tastes great iced, which is a blessing when you have a stretch of 95 degree days like the one I’m stuck in right now.
By the way, this is good for 3-4 steeps. The sample goes a long way!
The first time I tried this tea it was mixed with spearmint to make a Moroccan Mint blend. I used one teaspoon of gunpowder and two teaspoons of spearmint. The first steeping just tasted like spearmint with a very mild grassy note behind it, so I was worried I had gotten the proportions wrong, but there was a big change with the second steeping. All of the sudden the minty flavor was matched by smokey, full-bodied, powerful green tea. Maybe my first steeping was too short, but either way this gunpowder is definitely a keeper!
A delicious green tea for the tired student! I place the dried leaves right in my cup and brew on top of it. No need to actually strain out the leaves because it’s so delicious! The tea unfolds many times its size and gives a nice green tea flavor that isn’t too harsh and not as light as a high quality gyokuro. Very good pick-me-up tea!
