Temple of Heaven China Green Tea Special Gunpowder

This is one of those teas where brewing technique really matters. Use water between 175-190°F — never boiling, or you'll get an unpleasantly bitter cup. Steep for 2-3 minutes to start, and adjust from there. The tightly rolled gunpowder pearls need a moment to unfurl and release their flavor. Reviewers who've had bitter experiences almost always trace it back to water that was too hot. A simple kitchen thermometer or a kettle with temperature settings makes a big difference with this tea.

The number one mistake — and reviewers of this tea confirm it over and over — is using boiling water. Gunpowder green tea needs 175-190°F water, not a rolling boil. Boiling water scorches the leaves and turns a bold, smoky cup into something harsh and bitter. The second mistake is oversteeping; 2-3 minutes is plenty for the first infusion. These rolled pearls are packed with flavor and release it quickly. Get the temperature right and this tea transforms from 'too bitter' to 'rich and satisfying.'

Several reviewers of this Temple of Heaven gunpowder tea report that it brews very dark — almost black rather than the pale green you might expect. This can happen for a few reasons: the leaves may be more heavily processed than lighter green teas, water temperature may be too high causing over-extraction, or steep time may be too long. Gunpowder teas in general produce a deeper-colored brew than Japanese green teas. Try shorter steeps (2 minutes) at 175°F and you should get a lighter cup. Some batch variation has also been noted.

This tea is ideal for budget-conscious daily drinkers who want a bold, flavorful cup without spending a lot. It's great for people who make milk tea, boba, or large-batch iced tea at home. Reviewers who enjoy strong, smoky flavors love it. It's also perfect if you're experimenting with loose leaf tea for the first time — the low cost means low risk. However, it's not the best choice if you prefer delicate, light green teas, if you're serving guests and want to impress, or if you don't have a way to control water temperature.

Gunpowder green tea is actually one of the longest-lasting green tea styles. The tight rolling of the leaves into little pellets protects them from air and light, which is why this form was historically used for long-distance trade. Reviewers confirm a good shelf life when stored properly. Keep it in an airtight container away from light, heat, and moisture, and it should stay fresh for well over a year. With 2.2 pounds in the bag, that shelf stability is important — you won't be rushing to finish it before it goes stale.

Absolutely. The tightly rolled gunpowder pearls don't fully release all their flavor in one steeping. You can get 2-3 good infusions from the same leaves, with each successive cup becoming a bit lighter and mellower. The first steep gives you the bold, smoky punch; the second round is often a bit smoother and more nuanced. This makes the already impressive 2.2-pound bag last even longer. Just increase the steep time slightly with each re-infusion — add about 30 seconds to a minute each round.

It sounds like a lot, but it's actually well-suited to the product. Gunpowder tea's tightly rolled leaves have a naturally long shelf life — much longer than flat-leaf green teas. Reviewers confirm it stores well. If you drink 1-2 cups daily, 2.2 pounds will last several months. If you're also making iced tea or milk tea in batches, you'll go through it faster than you'd think. Store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark spot, and freshness won't be an issue. The massive quantity is actually one of the top things reviewers love about it.

This gunpowder tea actually works really well as iced tea, which reviewers specifically call out. Brew it a bit stronger than usual — about 1.5 teaspoons per 8 ounces at 175-190°F for 3-4 minutes — then pour over a full glass of ice. The bold, smoky flavor doesn't wash out when chilled the way lighter green teas can. You can also cold-brew it overnight in the fridge: add 2 tablespoons of pearls to a quart of cold water, steep 8-12 hours, and strain. The cold brew method produces a very smooth, less bitter result.

Gunpowder green tea gets its name from the way the leaves are processed — they're rolled into small, tight pellets that resemble gunpowder grains. This traditional Chinese technique serves a practical purpose: the tight rolling preserves the tea's freshness and flavor for much longer than flat-leaf green teas. Temple of Heaven's version features these classic tightly rolled pearls that slowly unfurl when you add hot water, releasing a bold, smoky, nutty flavor. It's one of the oldest styles of Chinese green tea and has been exported worldwide for centuries.

Use about 1 teaspoon of the gunpowder pearls per 8 ounces of water heated to 175-190°F. Place the pearls in an infuser, teapot, or even just a mug with a strainer. Pour the water over and watch the tightly rolled leaves slowly unfurl — it's one of the appealing things about this tea. Steep for 2-3 minutes, taste, and adjust next time if you want it stronger or lighter. The leaves can handle 2-3 infusions, which stretches that already impressive 2.2-pound bag even further.

Green tea generally contains about 25-50mg of caffeine per cup, roughly half what you'd find in coffee. Gunpowder green tea like this Temple of Heaven tends to be on the higher end of that range because of its tightly rolled, concentrated leaves and bold character. Reviewers use it as their morning energy source for the workday, so it definitely has enough kick to get you going — but it's not going to hit you like a double espresso. If you're caffeine-sensitive, keep it to mornings and avoid steeping too long.

For most people, yes — especially with a bold gunpowder tea like this one. Reviewers specifically mention using Temple of Heaven as their morning energy tea for the workday. Green tea's caffeine works a bit differently than coffee because it pairs with L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes calm focus rather than jittery alertness. So you'll feel awake and sharp without the crash. That said, if you're used to multiple cups of strong coffee, green tea's caffeine will feel gentler.

Most research supports daily green tea consumption as beneficial — it's associated with antioxidant support, improved metabolism, and cardiovascular health. Reviewers of this Temple of Heaven tea specifically use it as a daily drinker, both for morning energy and hydration throughout the day. The 2.2-pound bag is practically designed for daily use; at a teaspoon per cup, it'll last months even if you drink multiple cups a day. Just watch your total caffeine intake if you're also having coffee.

The most common side effects of green tea come from caffeine — jitteriness, trouble sleeping, or upset stomach if you drink it on an empty stomach. With a strong gunpowder tea like Temple of Heaven, you're also more likely to experience bitterness-related stomach discomfort if you brew it incorrectly (too hot or too long). The tannins in over-steeped green tea can cause nausea in some people. Stick to 175-190°F water, keep steep times reasonable, and you'll avoid most issues. Most people do perfectly well with 2-3 cups a day.

Cold brewing is a great way to enjoy this tea, especially if you find hot-brewed gunpowder too bold. Add about 2 tablespoons of the pearls to a quart of cold or room-temperature water, place it in the fridge, and let it steep for 8-12 hours. The slow extraction pulls out the smoky, nutty flavors without the bitterness that can come from hot water. Strain and enjoy. Since this bag is 2.2 pounds, you can make cold brew batches all summer without putting a dent in your supply.