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Information: Gunpowder, the substance used to fire bullets out of a gun-barrel is one of the four great inventions of ancient China. (The other three are the compass, paper, and an Asian version of the printing press). Gunpowder tea, the substance used to keep your eyes open and your taste-buds hopping, is one of the great inventions of Zhejinag province in Eastern China.
Gunpowder teas are primarily produced in the town of Pingshui in the mountainous Guiji region of the province. The technique for their production has remained virtually unchanged since the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) - and what a production it is. After plucking, each individual leaf is rubbed and twisted by hand then dried by stir-frying in a large pan. Depending on the quality of the leaf, ambient humidity and temperature, up to 4 rounds of stir-fry drying may be required. Although in recent years this process has been sped up somewhat through the limited use of mechanical equipment, the necessity of hand-rolling the tea into its signature shape is still incredibly labor intensive.
The end result of all this work is a fabulous cup that has long been prized by Chinese and Westerners alike. In fact, Zhejiang Gunpowders were at one time the second most expensive teas on the London markets and continue to be popular the world over today. This tea is prized for its robust fresh character that is underscored by subtle touches of oak. When selecting Gunpowders, traders look for tea that has been tightly rolled and has a slightly waxy appearance indicative of freshness. The superior grade we are offering is a superb example of these qualities. Open the bag and you will find a tightly rolled, uniformly sized tea with an aroma that will have you reaching for a teapot immediately. Enjoy Superior Gunpowder today and experience one of Zhejiang's finest offerings. Hot Brewing Method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to just before a boil. Place 1 teaspoon of tea for each cut in the teapot. Pour your hot water over the leaves. Let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (The longer the steeping time the stronger the tea). Add milk and sugar to taste. Iced Tea Brewing Method: Place 6 teaspoons of tea into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of very hot water over to tea, steep for 5 minutes. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the leaves. Add ice and garnish and sweeten to taste if desired.
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