Shanghai Tiantan Special Gunpowder Green Tea

Unfortunately, quality control seems to be a significant issue with this product. Many customers report receiving tea that's more dust and powder than the characteristic rolled pellets gunpowder tea is known for. Several reviews mention finding debris, sticks, and fines mixed in rather than clean, tightly rolled leaves. If you're looking for authentic gunpowder tea with that classic pellet appearance, this might disappoint.

When the tea is fresh, customers report a bold, strong flavor that's quite traditional for gunpowder green tea—a little goes a long way. However, freshness is the key problem here. Multiple reviewers mention receiving old or improperly stored tea that's brown instead of green, with an aged or even mildewed smell. The flavor can be inconsistent depending on what batch you receive.

Yes, several customers specifically mention using this for Moroccan mint tea with good results. The bold flavor profile holds up well when mixed with fresh mint and sweetener, which is exactly what you want in a traditional Maghrebi tea base. The large 17.64 oz size also makes it practical if you're making mint tea regularly.

On paper, yes—you're getting over a pound of tea, which should last quite a while since gunpowder tea is concentrated and you only need a small amount per cup. However, the value proposition gets complicated by the quality issues. If you receive a stale batch with mostly dust and debris, you might end up wasting a good portion of it. It's a gamble rather than a guaranteed good deal.

The packaging is actually one of the main complaints. Customers report that the tea doesn't come properly sealed for freshness, which likely contributes to the staleness issues many people experience. If you do order this, plan to transfer it immediately to an airtight container and store it properly—though that won't fix tea that arrived already aged.

Given the widespread quality consistency problems, you're probably better off investing in a more reliable brand, even if it costs a bit more per ounce. Fresh, properly processed gunpowder tea should be green, not brown, and should consist of tight pellets, not dust. Unless you're willing to gamble on possibly receiving a fresh batch—or you're using it in applications like Moroccan mint tea where the quality issues might be less noticeable—look for a brand with better quality control.