Today we're talking about a tea that's a little less well-known than others: Gunpowder tea. What is it, what are its benefits, and how do you prepare it? We'll tell you everything here!
History of Gunpowder
Gunpowder is a Chinese green tea, meaning "gunpowder" in English. This Chinese green tea is cultivated in the Zhejiang province. Rolled into tightly formed pearls by hand, it is also called pearl tea. This tea offers an astringent, fresh, and very thirst-quenching aroma; it is, in fact, the one generally used to prepare mint green tea.
This tea is cultivated and processed according to traditional Chinese methods and must follow several very specific steps:
The Harvest: Gunpowder is made from tea leaves harvested by hand or mechanically using specially designed clippers.
Kneading: once the leaves are harvested, they are vigorously kneaded.
Fixing: this step consists of interrupting the natural oxidation of the leaf by subjecting it to a heat source.
Rolling: the tea leaves are rolled very thinly to obtain the final result
Benefits of Gunpowder
Gunpowder tea belongs to the green tea family and has many health benefits.
- Strengthens the immune system and prevents colds
- May reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
- May help control blood sugar levels in cases of diabetes
- Weight loss aid
- Supports digestion
Gunpowder Preparation
STEP 1: Boil water
Use filtered water and boil it to 75-80°C. It's important not to heat the water any further, as this could burn the leaves.
STEP 2: Warm the teapot
Pour pre-heated water into the teapot. Swirl it to warm the sides, then discard the water.
STEP 3: Add the tea to the teapot and pour in the hot water
Let it steep for 3 minutes; if you leave it longer, the tea may become bitter. Keep the teapot covered to keep the water hot.
Now all that's left is to enjoy it :)
