Gunpowder green tea is produced in the Chinese province of Zhejiang in the east of the country. The drink got its name because of the leaves, the appearance of which resembles gunpowder. In the Middle Kingdom, tea is known as “Lu Zhu”, which is translated into Russian as “Green Pearl”.
History and production technology
Ganpauder (tea) appeared a long time ago, back when the Tang dynasty was in power (618-907). It was brought to England in the 17th century, and in the United States it was available from the 19th century.
Despite the fact that by the standards of those years its cost was quite high, the drink managed to gain immense popularity in the countries where it was supplied. Later, its production increased markedly, which led to a decrease in prices. For a long time, this variety of Chinese tea has been a leader in export volumes.
In the 1850s, tea appeared in Northwest Africa. Residents of the continent were the first to come up with mint and add ice and sugar. This tradition is common in modern Spain and France. Chinese legend says that the gunpowder came from a pearl that the dragon and the phoenix bird missed on the ground. In the last century, packaging with this tea was called "pea leaves."
Only young leaves are suitable for primary assembly. During the next step, cuttings are removed from the feed. The roasting process is accompanied by a person who is fanning tea raw materials. The accumulation of large amounts of hot air leads to a loss of herbal aroma.
After frying, the leaves are laid out on a plate and fanned until completely cooled. The next processing step is the twisting of cold raw materials into dense balls. Rounded gulls are placed in a cauldron and continue to knead until, with a light touch, they begin to emit a delicate smell.
This processing technology allows leaves to maintain the richness of their essential oils with repeated brewing. In addition, they can be stored for a long time without losing the properties that fresh gulls have.
The process described above does not include the method of fermentation, which means that the drink you purchased will have as many vitamins and useful elements as the sheets you just collected.
Kinds
The following varieties are most popular in Europe:
- Taiwanese gunpowder. Tea is processed using the same technology as oolong tea. Leaves can be purchased fried and raw. Taiwanese "pearl tea" can be found in the form of tiny balls and tubes.
- Ceylon gunpowder is grown in the highlands of Sri Lanka.
Selection criteria and method of brewing
Fresh tea leaves have a silver-green color with a sparkle. Small pellets indicate that they belong to the primary assembly. If you want to feel the aroma of the true “pearl tea” that has come down to us since the Tang Dynasty, get a jar with tiny balls. A large leaf drink will have a different taste.
In the world there are a small number of teas that can be brewed in different ways. Ganpauder (tea) also belongs to such rare drinks. The properties of the leaves, both flavoring and aromatic, depend on the brewing time, temperature, and vessel. To find out what you like best, first start with a teaspoon of leaves pour 150 ml of water with a temperature of no more than 87 ° C for one minute.
You can brew tea several times, while it does not lose its qualities. This is possible thanks to the tight rolling technology. Before each preparation, the leaves must be washed.
Taste properties
“Pearl tea”, though in appearance, is a bit like gunpowder; it has no taste or aroma of smoke. Ganpauder - tea, which has a vegetable sweetish and metallic notes. When tasting the drink, you will feel the delicate taste of mint, pepper and honey with a sweet-sugary aroma that gives off dried fruits.
Tea of pale yellow color gives an astringent sensation and will delight you with its rich, deep, bitter taste. If a smoky aroma is heard during tea drinking, then this is a Taiwanese drink, the leaves of which are slightly fried, in order to satisfy consumers' expectations.
Customer Impressions and Cost
Many, choosing an everyday drink, tend to get one that can be consumed without anything, as well as enrich it with flavoring additives, for example, lemon balm, raspberry and citrus fruit zest.
This is exactly what ganpauder (tea) is. Reviews about the drink are mostly positive. Many customers note that this tea is light, refreshing and invigorating.
The cost of a drink depends on the variety and quality. The price for 250 grams starts from 90 rubles. The lower the cost, the more in the bank you will find sticks that are pre-selected in the highest grade. Leaves do not contain artificial flavors. Some consumers do not like its smell, but this nuance depends on the manufacturer of the drink and personal preferences.
Tea can be consumed both hot and cold. If you plan to drink it cool, then experts advise making it less saturated. The bitter taste of tea is eliminated with one or two teaspoons of sugar. A unique drink is just the phrase that can fully describe the green tea ganpauder.
Benefit and harm
This liquid has many useful properties. Tea quenches thirst on a hot summer day, speeds up metabolism, which helps to quickly lose weight.
In addition, it has a beneficial effect on the speed of thinking in the elderly, the performance of the intestines, kidneys and liver. This drink is invaluable for those who have a predisposition to cancer. The antioxidant properties that gunpowder (tea) is rich in can prevent the development of cancer cells and strengthen the immune system.
The composition of the leaves of the drink includes fluoride, which preserves tooth enamel.
The above properties apply to strongly brewed tea. For healing purposes, it is enough to drink no more than two cups per day. The drink is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers, people with heart disease and urolithiasis.
Ganpauder contains more caffeine than other types of green tea. One cup accounts for 15 to 45 milligrams of this alkaloid. Manufacturers usually indicate information on its quantity and availability on the packaging.