Gunpowder

A classic green tea from China that can be recognized by the rolled up little balls. The Chinese name, zhu cha (珠茶), is a little easier to understand as it means "pearl tea". A pure green tea without any flavoring.

However, the world's biggest consumers of gunpowder tea are not Chinese but North Africans. Especially in Morocco, people like to drink mint tea made from gunpowder, fresh mint and a fair amount of sugar.

The small balls unfold when placed in hot water. Good to drink as it is, or as a base for your own flavors. If you don't have mint, try using blackcurrant leaves that have been dried in the oven.

What about the name? Well, one theory is that people thought it actually looked like the grainy gunpowder used in those days. The other theory - which is a bit more fun - is that a Western tea buyer was testing different varieties in China. The eager Chinese tea seller says "Try this - it's freshly brewed!". "Freshly brewed" is Chinese for "gang pao de", so the Westerner says that the gunpower tasted good.... What is true and what is not, we may never know.