Fermentaholics Gunpowder Green Tea

If you prefer mild, delicate green teas with grassy or floral notes, this isn't your tea — it's bold, smoky, and unapologetically strong. People who are sensitive to astringency should also be cautious, as even with proper brewing technique, this gunpowder variety has a naturally assertive character. And if you're looking specifically for green tea kombucha (not Jun kombucha), reviewers report mixed results.

For gunpowder green tea like this one, steep for 2-3 minutes in water around 175°F (80°C). Since reviewers describe this tea as bold and smoky with some astringency, starting at 2 minutes gives you a smoother cup. If you prefer a stronger brew, push it to 3 minutes — but going much beyond that can bring out the bitterness that some drinkers have noticed with this particular tea.

The biggest mistake is using boiling water. Green tea — especially a bold gunpowder variety like this one — turns very bitter with water that's too hot. Stick to 175°F. Over-steeping is the other common culprit; at least one reviewer found this tea harsh and bitter, which almost certainly came down to brewing technique. Start at 2 minutes and adjust from there. Also, don't cram too many leaves in — gunpowder pellets expand significantly when they unfurl.

Almost always a brewing issue. Water that's too hot (above 185°F) or steeping longer than 3 minutes will make any gunpowder green tea bitter, and this Fermentaholics variety is no exception — at least one reviewer found it harsh. Try dropping your water temperature to 170-175°F and steeping for just 2 minutes. If it's still too strong, use slightly fewer leaves. The rolled pellets are potent, so a little goes a long way.

Use about 1 teaspoon of the rolled gunpowder leaves per 8 oz of water heated to 175°F — not boiling, which is a common mistake with green tea. Let it steep for 2-3 minutes. The leaves will unfurl beautifully, producing what reviewers describe as a gorgeous color in the cup. For iced tea, you can brew it a bit stronger (1.5 teaspoons) since the ice will dilute it.

Gunpowder green tea gets its name from the way the leaves are tightly rolled into small pellets — they look like old-fashioned gunpowder. This rolling process helps the tea stay fresh longer and produces a bolder, smokier flavor compared to flat-leaf green teas. The Fermentaholics version leans into that boldness with a strong, astringent profile that tea enthusiasts appreciate. It's also specifically chosen for fermentation, which sets it apart from everyday green teas.

It can work for beginners, especially those interested in loose-leaf tea or kombucha brewing. Reviewers mention easy-to-follow directions, and the organic certification gives new tea drinkers confidence about quality. The customer service also gets positive mentions. Just know that this is a bold, smoky green tea — if you're expecting something light and mild like a Japanese sencha, you might find the flavor intense. Start with shorter steep times to ease in.

While this tea is specifically marketed for Jun kombucha (which uses honey instead of sugar), some brewers have tried it for regular green tea kombucha with mixed results. Jun SCOBYs seem to work best with it. If you're brewing traditional kombucha with sugar, you might find the fermentation behaves differently than with standard green tea. For the best results, stick with Jun kombucha as intended.

Daily green tea consumption is widely considered beneficial for its antioxidants and metabolism support. This particular tea is USDA organic and OU Kosher certified, which makes it a clean choice for an everyday habit. Reviewers praise the strong, wholesome natural taste and the wonderful aroma, suggesting it holds up well as a daily drinker. Just be mindful of steeping time if you're brewing multiple cups — shorter steeps will keep the astringency in check.

Gunpowder green tea shares the standard green tea benefits — antioxidants, metabolism support, and gentle caffeine — but the tightly rolled leaves also stay fresh longer than flat-leaf varieties, preserving more of those beneficial compounds. Fermentaholics adds organic certification and kosher certification on top of that. Reviewers specifically praise the quality of the leaves, the beautiful steeping color, and the wonderful aroma.

It carries two notable certifications: USDA Organic and OU Kosher. The organic certification means no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers were used in growing the tea, which multiple reviewers specifically called out as a reason they chose this product. The kosher certification adds another layer of quality assurance for those who follow kosher dietary guidelines or simply want additional third-party verification.

Yes — the product is specifically designed for hot or iced tea, and the bold smoky flavor holds up well when chilled. Cold brewing overnight in the fridge gives the smoothest result, reducing the astringency while keeping the distinctive gunpowder character. For a quick iced tea, brew hot at double strength and pour over ice. The strong natural taste that reviewers praise actually works in iced tea's favor since dilution from ice won't wash out the flavor.

Cold brewing brings out the smoother side of this tea and tames the astringency. Add about 1.5 teaspoons of the gunpowder pellets per 8 oz of cold water in a pitcher or jar, then refrigerate for 6-8 hours or overnight. The result is a cleaner, less bitter cup that highlights the smoky notes without the harshness. Since this tea is listed as great for iced tea, cold brewing is a natural fit.

Drinking a cup of green tea daily is generally associated with antioxidant benefits, improved focus, and better metabolism. With Fermentaholics gunpowder green tea specifically, you're getting USDA organic leaves without pesticides or additives — which matters if you're making it a daily habit. The bold, smoky flavor profile holds up well as an everyday tea, though if you're sensitive to astringency, you may want to keep steep times short.

Gunpowder green tea generally has moderate caffeine — roughly 35-45mg per cup, which is less than coffee but more than many other green teas. The tightly rolled pellets in the Fermentaholics tea retain their potency well, and since reviewers describe the flavor as bold and strong, the caffeine content tracks with that. It's enough to give you a gentle lift without the jitters most people get from coffee.

With Fermentaholics gunpowder green tea, grab a tea infuser or small strainer — the rolled pellets are easy to handle and don't create much dust. Add about 1 teaspoon per cup into your infuser, pour 175°F water over it, and steep for 2-3 minutes. You'll see the pellets slowly unfurl into full leaves, which reviewers say produces a beautiful color. Strain and enjoy. No fancy equipment needed.

Gunpowder green tea has enough caffeine to provide alertness — typically 35-45mg per cup — but it's paired with L-theanine, which promotes calm focus rather than the wired feeling you get from coffee. This Fermentaholics tea has a bold, strong profile, so it's a good morning or afternoon pick-me-up. Most people find green tea caffeine doesn't interfere with sleep if you stop drinking it by early afternoon.

Starting with organic, loose-leaf tea like Fermentaholics gives you a head start — no bleached tea bags, no microplastics from sachets, and no pesticide residue. Brew at the right temperature (around 175°F) to preserve the catechins and antioxidants that break down in boiling water. Some reviewers specifically chose this tea because they were avoiding tea bags for health reasons, which is a solid choice.

The most common side effect is stomach sensitivity if you drink it on an empty stomach, which is more likely with a bold tea like this Fermentaholics gunpowder variety. Excessive consumption (4+ cups daily) can lead to caffeine-related issues like headaches or sleep disruption. The astringent quality that some reviewers noted can also be tough on sensitive stomachs. Sticking to 2-3 cups a day with food nearby is a good approach.