Gunpowder

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Green tea from the Guangdong province of China. Gunpowder tea, as the name implies, is made up of leaves hand-rolled into tiny pellets. These resemble gunpowder, and give this tea its distinct name. Continuing this bang-bang theme, our special-grade version of this tea is named after a year that saw lots of cannon action. Our "1812 Gunpowder" produces a full-bodied cup with a hint of smokiness. And mixes well with peppermint to produce a popular "Moroccan Mint" tea.

The name of this tea is said to derive from its visual similarity to military gunpowder, infusing the colonial phrase of "gunpowder diplomacy" with much irony. Gunpowder is the favorite green tea of Morocco and the Middle East, where it is commonly prepared with mint and plenty of sugar. The local custom dictates that it be served by men, and be poured in such a way as to create a sizeable foam atop one's glass. Gunpowder tea is often mixed with peppermint leaves to create a unique blend called Moroccan Mint.