Tiny pearls, hand-rolled, leaf by leaf, made of some of the finest Chinese green tea make up this Gunpowder Temple of Heaven Green Tea. The grey-green balls are known as zucha or "pearl tea" to the Chinese, but many years ago an Englishman thought that they resembled gunpowder and the name stuck.

It takes a special skill to roll tea leaves into this unusual shape. Because they are so tightly rolled, these little pellets keep exceptionally well which is rare for a high quality green tea. When hot water is added, the little balls unfold gracefully and produce a flavorful dark green brew with a unique fragrance and a delightful, lingering aftertaste. Temple of Heaven, as the name implies, is the highest grade of this type of tea and has won many awards around the world.

This is an excellent choice to drink with meals and it complements most meats and vegetables. It also can be brewed into a refreshing iced tea with or without lemon and sugar. To make an interesting Moroccan-style beverage, try adding a little mint to this very versatile tea as it steeps.

Ingredients

Green tea

Steeping Instructions

1-3 minutes at 170-190 degrees Fahrenheit

Caffeinated

Yes

Country of Origin

China

Cups to Grams

• 8 grams makes 3-4 cups
• 100 grams makes 45-50 cups
• 1 pound loose makes 180-200 cups