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Green tea · Rolled pellets

Gunpowder Green

珠茶, Zhu Cha, Pinhead

8.0/10 editor's score

Green tea rolled into small pellets, a shape that keeps well. Bold and a little smoky, and the base for North African mint tea.

Mint tea baseBoldGood value

↓ Jump to brew guide About this tea Compare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

What you need

250 ml water75 to 85°C

Steep 2:002 steeps

LiquorYellow-green, fairly strong

Served inMint tea glass

At a glance

Green tea rolled into small pellets, a shape that keeps well.

CaffeineMedium~30 to 50 mg, our estimate

Beginner fit8.5 / 10From the editor's score

HarvestSpring to summerBetter grades.

Pairs withMint and sugar, Grilled meats, Couscous, DatesLess good with delicate desserts

Grown atLow hillsZhejiang, Pingshui gunpowder

Served inMint tea glassFor North African mint tea

About Gunpowder Green

What sources say about the taste

Sources note that the pan-firing that fixes the pellets can add a slight smoky flavour ¹.

01 · Aroma

First sip

Lift the cup and smell before you drink.

02 · Taste

Middle

Let it sit on the tongue for a moment.

03 · Finish

Finish

What stays after you swallow.

Hover or tap a noteBigger image and more dots mean a stronger note.

Notes and intensities are an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not our own tasting.

Where it grows

Main area: Zhejiang; Pingshui is the original variety ¹
Shape: Each leaf rolled into a pellet ¹
History: Dates back to the Tang dynasty ¹
Name: "Pearl tea" in Chinese ¹

History and culture

Gunpowder tea production dates back to the Tang dynasty (618 to 907) ¹.

Its English name may come from the pellets looking like gunpowder ¹.

Editor's score

8.0/10

Weighted across six criteria: flavour 30%, heritage 20%, availability 15%, value 15%, beginners 10%, versatility 10%.

Based on published sources, not yet tasted. Rates the tea style, not a brand. How we score →

Taste profile and caffeine

Profile is an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not a lab measurement or our own tasting.

Caffeine

Brewed coffee~95 mg

Black tea (average)~47 mg

Gunpowder Green~30 to 50 mg

Green tea (average)~28 mg

Our estimate. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo Clinic^C.

Harvest calendar

Made from spring and summer leaf. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

Camellia sinensis var. sinensis.

How it is made

01Withering

Leaves soften.

02Steaming or firing

Stops oxidation ¹.

03Rolling

Each leaf rolled into a pellet, mostly by machine today ¹.

04Drying

Pan-fired dry ¹.

Dry leaf and liquor

**Dry leaf**Small, tight, grey-green pellets.

LiquorYellow-green, fairly strong.

After steeping

Wet leafLeaves unroll into whole leaves.

The colour swatch is an approximate guide, not a photograph.

Food pairings and storage

Works well

Mint and sugar
Grilled meats
Couscous
Dates

Best avoided

Delicate desserts

Pairings are general suggestions from the tea's style, not tested matches.

Storage

Airtight, opaque container, away from light, heat and smells.
Green tea fades fastest: aim to finish it within 3 to 6 months of opening.
Unopened sealed packs can go in the fridge. Let them reach room temperature before opening.

Grades and fakes

Graded by pellet size: smaller, tighter pellets ("pinhead") are higher grades ¹.

Temple of Heaven is a well-known grade name.

How to spot a poor or fake one

Shiny, tight pellets are a good sign.
Very dull, crumbly pellets are old.

FAQ

Is it used in Moroccan mint tea?

Yes, gunpowder green is the usual base, brewed with spearmint and sugar.

Why pellets?

The shape protects the leaf and helps it keep its flavour ¹.

Find it inGreen teas Teas from China ZhejiangMint tea baseBoldGood value

Sources

Wikipedia, "Gunpowder tea". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunpowder_tea
Mayo Clinic, "Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more". www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372

Scores and content updated 30 Oct 2026.