Superior Gunpowder
Surprising body and captivating green tea taste with a hint of oakiness.
-
Information
INGREDIENTS: Green tea
INGREDIENTS FROM: China
REGION(S): Zhejiang Province
GROWING ALTITUDES: 1500 - 4500 feet above sea level
GRADE(S): Superior #1
MANUFACTURE TYPE(S): Non fermented, Traditional process, Small batch crafted, Pan fired and hand twisted
ANTIOXIDANT LEVEL: High
CAFFEINE LEVEL: Low
KOSHER: Yes
VEGETARIAN: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
ARTISANAL NOTES: Small batch blended and packed in Canada
INFUSION: Tending dark green
-
Description
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. In fact, it is so labor intensive that tea workers have developed many euphemisms to describe the intensity of the process. For example: "It takes 1 kilogram of sweat trickling down the heels to produce 1 kilogram of tea." Or: "The tea of one season will make one thin and meager because of the work required." Luckily for the workers, they are all well fed and properly looked after on the job! (We know this because we visit the factories frequently to ensure working conditions meet acceptable international standards.)
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 to this day. The tea is prized for its robust fresh character that is underscored by subtle touches of oak. (Incidentally, Gunpowder tea is the base of many Moroccan mint teas because of its rich character.) 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 here 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.
-
Allergen Declaration
Allergens controlled by robust HACCP and GMP manufacturing protocols.
SCROLL SIDEWAYS OR USE SLIDER AT THE BOTTOM TO VIEW FULL CHARTPRODUCT NAME: Superior Gunpowder
PRODUCT TYPE: Loose - Green Tea
KNOWN OR CLAIMED SOURCES OF FOOD ALLERGIES AND INTOLERANCES
Present in the product
Present in the same manufacturing factory
Tree Nuts and Derivatives of Tree Nuts
No
Yes
Almonds
No
Yes
Brazil Nuts
No
No
Cashews
No
No
Chestnuts
No
No
Coconut
No
Yes
Hazelnut
No
No
Hickory
No
No
Macadamia
No
No
Pecan
No
No
Pine
No
No
Pistachio
No
No
Walnut
No
Yes
Peanuts and Derivatives of Peanuts
No
No
Peanuts
No
No
Peanut Oil
No
No
Sesame Seeds and Derivatives of Sesame Seeds
No
No
Sesame Seeds
No
No
Sesame Oil, refined
No
No
Wheat and Derivatives of Wheat
No
Yes
Wheat Starch Hydrolysates
No
Yes
Egg and Derivatives of Eggs
No
No
Milk, Dairy and Derivatives of Dairy
No
No
Soybeans and Derivatives of Soybeans
No
Yes
Soy Oil/Soybean Oil
No
No
Soy Lecithin
No
Yes
Crustaceans and Derivatives of Crustaceans
No
No
Abalone
No
No
Clam
No
No
Crab
No
No
Crayfish
No
No
Cuttlefish
No
No
King Prawn
No
No
Krill
No
No
Lobster
No
No
Mussels
No
No
Oysters
No
No
Scallop
No
No
Shrimp
No
No
Snail
No
No
Squid
No
No
Fish and Derivatives of Fish
No
No
Anchovies
No
No
Bonito
No
No
Coal Fish
No
No
Mackerel
No
No
Perch/Tilapia
No
No
Salmon
No
No
Cod
No
No
Tuna
No
No
White Fish
No
No
Fish, unspecified
No
No
Mustard and Derivatives of Mustard
No
No
Sulfur Dioxide and Sulfites at concentrations of more than 10mg/kg expressed as S02
No
Yes
Gluten and Derivatives of Gluten
No
Yes
Gluten from Barley
No
No
Gluten from Kamut
No
No
Gluten from Oat
No
No
Gluten from Rye
No
No
Gluten from Spelt
No
No
Gluten from Triticale
No
No
Gluten from Wheat
No
Yes
Celery and Products thereof
No
No
Lupin and Products thereof
No
No
Column 'Present in the product' indicates the allergens that may be found in the product, from addition or cross contamination. Column 'Present in the same manufacturing plant' indicates whether any allergens are present in the factory.
-
Steeping Instructions
PRODUCT TYPE: Loose - Green Tea
IDEAL BREWING TEMPERATURE: 85ºC/185ºF. For Food Safety reasons bring water to 100ºC/212ºF and let it cool down to 85ºC/185ºF.
TEA CUP
8oz (237ml)
10oz (296ml)
12oz (355ml)
AMOUNT
1 heaping teaspoon of "The Perfect Measure Spoon"
1 heaping teaspoon of "The Perfect Measure Spoon"
1.5 heaping teaspoon of "The Perfect Measure Spoon"
MILD
1-2 min
1-2 min
1-2 min
MEDIUM
2-3 min
2-3 min
2-3 min
STRONG
3-5 min
3-5 min
3-5 min
TEA POT
18oz (532ml)
36oz (1064ml)
48oz (1419ml)
AMOUNT
2 heaping teaspoons of "The Perfect Measure Spoon"
1 heaping teaspoon of "Pot of Perfect Tea Spoon"
2 heaping teaspoons of "Pot of Perfect Tea Spoon
MILD
1-2 min
1-2 min
1-2 min
MEDIUM
2-3 min
2-3 min
2-3 min
STRONG
3-5 min
3-5 min
3-5 min
MILK
SUGAR
LEMON
MINT
NO
NO
NO
NO
ANTIOXIDANT BENEFIT: For a greater antioxidant benefit brew longer and use more tea.
FOOD SAFETY ADVISORY: We strongly recommend using filtered or freshly drawn cold water brought to a rolling boil when brewing all types of tea. Today's water has been known to carry viruses, parasites and bacteria. Boiling the water will kill these elements and reduce the potential incidence of water-borne illnesses.
-
Epic Iced Tea Instructions
Tea isn't just served hot! Iced tea is one of the most refreshing and natural thirst quenchers around the world. Here is our suggested method of brewing the best iced tea.
ICED TEA BREWING METHOD (Pitcher): (To Make 1 Liter/Quart):
- Place 6 slightly heaping teaspoons of loose tea or 6 tea bags into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher.
- Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 1¼ cups/315ml over the tea.
- Steep for 5 minutes.
- Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water.
- Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the tea or removing the bags.
- Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste.
- A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to increase
- the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water.
Note: Some luxury quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of luxury quality and nothing to worry about.
ICED TEA BREWING METHOD (Individual Serving):
- Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea or 1 tea bag into a teapot for each serving required.
- Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 6-7oz/170-200ml per serving over the tea.
- Cover and let steep for 5 minutes.
- Add hot tea to a 12oz/375ml acrylic glass filled with ice, straining the tea or removing the bags.
- Not all of the tea will fit, allowing for approximately an additional ½ serving.
- A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to increase the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted.
Note: Some luxury quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of luxury quality and nothing to worry about.
HERB & FRUIT ICED TEA BREWING METHOD (Pitcher): (To Make 1 Liter/Quart):
- Place 12 slightly heaping teaspoons of herb & fruit blend or 6 tea bags into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher.
- Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 1¼ cups/315ml over the herb & fruit blend.
- Steep for 5-10 minutes.
- Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water.
- Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the tea or removing the tea bags.
- Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste.
- A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced herb & fruit tea is to increase the strength of hot brew since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water.
HERB & FRUIT ICED TEA BREWING METHOD (Individual Serving):
- Place 2 slightly heaping teaspoons of herb & fruit blend or 1 tea bag into a teapot for each serving required.
- Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 6-7oz/170-200ml per serving over the herb & fruit blend.
- Cover and let steep for 5-10 minutes.
- Add hot tea to a 12oz/375ml acrylic glass filled with ice, straining the tea or removing the bags.
- Not all of the tea will fit, allowing for approximately an additional ½ serving. Garnish and sweeten to taste.
- A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed herb & fruit tea is to increase the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted.