From: Jiangxi Province
Organic Gunpowder Green
About Our Organic Gunpowder Green
Gunpowder Green (Zhu Cha, 珠茶) brews yellow, not green — and the flavor surprises people the same way. It has a smokiness unlike anything else in the green tea category: not bitter, not sharp, just direct and robust. "Smooth, never bitter," as Susan put it. "Well-rounded flavor, just the perfect amount of smokiness," says Johnny.
This is an early-morning tea. Bold enough to replace your second cup of coffee, easy enough to drink straight through the afternoon. Mike's take on it is direct: it will get you out of bed.
Ours comes in an open-leaf format rather than the traditional pellet-rolled form (faster flavor release, easier to measure), but the classic gunpowder character is fully intact. Grown organically in Jiangxi Province by a worker-owned cooperative. Good for two or three infusions. A little goes a long way.
Brewing Guidelines for Organic Gunpowder Green
3:00 MIN
180 F
.5 TSP - 1.5G PER CUP
Brewing Guidelines are for one 8 oz. cup.
The best way to brew your tea is the way you like - don't let anyone tell you different. Our guidelines are configured for making your tea a cup at a time - maybe with our stainless tea filter. If making by the pot, maintain temperature and time but try with slightly less tea than the math would suggest.
For more brewing instructions, read our brewing guidelines.
Gunpowder Green Tea (Zhu Cha): China's Great Export Tea
Gunpowder was China's workhorse export tea for centuries. The English name comes from the pellet-rolled form the leaves were traditionally compressed into — tight little balls that resembled black powder grains and survived long sea voyages without degrading. Zhu Cha (珠茶, Pearl Tea) is the Chinese name, historically associated with the Pingshui area of Zhejiang. It became the base tea for Moroccan Mint Tea and remains the standard for that preparation across North Africa today.
Our Gunpowder comes from Jiangxi Province and is left in an open-leaf format rather than rolled — same robust, slightly smoky flavor profile, quicker extraction, no pellet to unfurl. The brew comes out yellow-gold, which surprises new drinkers expecting green. That's the tea working as it should.
Brewing: 180°F water, 3 minutes, about half a teaspoon (1.5g) per 8 oz cup. Gunpowder handles a longer steep without turning harsh, but start at 3 minutes and adjust to your preference. Good for two or three re-brews — add a minute with each. For Moroccan mint tea: double the leaf measure, steep 5 minutes, add fresh mint and sugar to taste.
Sourcing: Grown organically in Jiangxi Province by a worker-owned cooperative. USDA Organic certified. No synthetic pesticides or herbicides.
What does Gunpowder Green taste like?
Robust and slightly smoky, with a clean finish and surprising lightness for how direct the dry leaf smells. The brew is yellow-gold, not green. Michele describes it as "a satisfying and rich cup of golden tea" that's "lightly sweet and leaves a silky feel." Most people find it much smoother than the name suggests.
Is Gunpowder too strong for everyday drinking?
Not if you use the right measure. Half a teaspoon per cup is the sweet spot — direct and bold without overwhelming. "Smooth and easy to drink throughout the day yet has a nice spicy bite," says Jeren. Carol steeps it longer for an even bolder cup; Heather drinks it morning to afternoon. The name's bigger than the bite.
How much caffeine is in Gunpowder Green?
Green teas have measured about 12–50 mg per cup in published lab analysis (not our own tea), well under a typical coffee; a shorter, cooler steep means less. Enough of a morning lift without the spike and crash.
Can I re-steep the leaves?
Two solid steeps, sometimes three. Add a minute to the steep time each round. As Heather notes: "A little goes a long way — I appreciate that the leaves hold up for a second brew."
Is this the right tea for Moroccan mint tea?
It's the traditional base. Use about 1 teaspoon of tea (double the usual amount), steep 5 minutes, add fresh mint and sugar or honey to taste. Andrea made it that way and called it "top notch."
Customer Reviews for Organic Gunpowder Green
I sampled this tea at a country fair in Maine. I have taken tea classes and studied tea. I am EXTREMELY picky and judgmental when it comes to tea. Red Cup is my absolute favorite!! Highest quality and I love the name and the tins!
Da Hong Pa is the most delicious tea on the planet. It tastes like pecans, walnuts and cashews all together, so good!!
Gunpowder Green's Great! I am not an expert on the finer aspects of flavor description but I know what I like.
I discovered Little Red Cup just a few years ago when my go-to tea shop in Chicago's Chinatown closed and am I glad I did. Every single tea I have purchased from them is top shelf, and their gunpowder green is no exception. A sturdy, solid, excellent green tea I will continue to buy in the future.
I like my tea strong, and little red cup is very satisfying!
Great wake up tea in the morning! Wonderful flavor!
Excellent local business
I have purchased four varieties of green tea from this shop and been very pleased with all four: Mao Jian, En Shi Yu Lu, Gunpowder and Eyebrow.
First time actually buying Gunpowder and definitely do not regret it. Very well rounded flavor, just the perfect amount of smokiness.
Organic Gunpowder Green
I am loving my organic Gunpowder Green tea. The tea leaves unfurl so beautifully while imparting a delicate, slightly sweet vegetal flavor to the water as it brews. The taste is perfect on its own. I drink it toward the end of my work day to give me the extra lift I need to get me through to the end, yet it does not keep me up past my bedtime.
- 5 stars: 43 (96%)
- 4 stars: 1 (2%)
- 3 stars: 1 (2%)
- 2 stars: 0 (0%)
- 1 star: 0 (0%)
Excellent local business
I have purchased four varieties of green tea from this shop and been very pleased with all four: Mao Jian, En Shi Yu Lu, Gunpowder and Eyebrow.
First time actually buying Gunpowder and definitely do not regret it. Very well rounded flavor, just the perfect amount of smokiness.
Gunpowder Green's Great! I am not an expert on the finer aspects of flavor description but I know what I like.
Organic Gunpowder Green
I am loving my organic Gunpowder Green tea. The tea leaves unfurl so beautifully while imparting a delicate, slightly sweet vegetal flavor to the water as it brews. The taste is perfect on its own. I drink it toward the end of my work day to give me the extra lift I need to get me through to the end, yet it does not keep me up past my bedtime.
I discovered Little Red Cup just a few years ago when my go-to tea shop in Chicago's Chinatown closed and am I glad I did. Every single tea I have purchased from them is top shelf, and their gunpowder green is no exception. A sturdy, solid, excellent green tea I will continue to buy in the future.
I received my 2nd shipment recently and am very happy with Little Red Cup! The tea is excellent and the service is fast, friendly and communicative
I had a terrible experience with another tea company so it’s nice to be able to count on Little Red Cup. I love the personal notes and happy faces that come with orders too! If you sent me a Little Red Cup t-shirt in XL I would proudly advertise for you!😄
I like my tea strong, and little red cup is very satisfying!
Little Red Tea Cup Organic Gunpowder Green Tea is just luscious, smooth, never bitter (unless I mess up) excellent consistent flavor.
This green tea is delicious and surprising. My husband and I both enjoy gunpowder green tea, and we agree this is the best we have tasted. It brews a satisfying and rich cup of golden tea, but its fresh taste is what makes the difference. It tastes lightly sweet and leaves a silky feel on the aftertaste.
I like the gunpowder green tea a lot, and I’ve been enjoying it.
Organic Gunpowder Green
I found the perfect green tea. Gunpowder green. So lucky to have Little RedCup Teas so I can sit back and enjoy all my favorite teas
Great GOOD MORNING! tea. Not an alarm clock. But like a persistent whisper in your ear. Because like all Little Red Cup teas, it's full of flavor but leaves out the bite found in stale, guess what grocery store tea bags. Two joys of my old age: discovering Mozart's "piano" concertos (over and over again) and becoming a tea lover after discovering Little Red Cup. Fresh, no bitterness, and oh the flavor--even in much milder varieties.
I love high quality tea, I love shopping local, and I love knowing the tea growers are getting a fair deal. This tea checks all those boxes, plus it's reasonably priced! I'm a long time green tea drinker and this tea is everything...smooth, earthy, and strong. I'm a huge fan!
I ordered 3 kinds of Green Tea, The Eyebrow, Gunpowder and Jasmine. They are all delicious! The packaging and service is wonderful as well. When these run out I will definitely be ordering more.
Love it!
This is a pleasant tea, and it is good for several pourings.
For the last pour I leave it out in the sun in a glass teapot and enjoy it late in the day.
I really enjoy the Jasmine- Green tea.
Have not sampled the others.
Thank you for your fine products.
PW.
I sampled this tea at a country fair in Maine. I have taken tea classes and studied tea. I am EXTREMELY picky and judgmental when it comes to tea. Red Cup is my absolute favorite!! Highest quality and I love the name and the tins!
Da Hong Pa is the most delicious tea on the planet. It tastes like pecans, walnuts and cashews all together, so good!!
Little Red Cup delivers yet another high-quality, whole-leaf tea. I'm giving this tea 4 stars because even though it is very good quality, it's not my favorite among all the teas LRC has to offer. I like Yulu Green and Jasmine Green a little better, flavor- and aroma-wise. If you're a lover of Gunpowder Green in general, however, you'll probably really enjoy this because as I mentioned, it's very high quality.
My new favorite place to buy tea!
I have never been a fan of green teas which taste like mulch. Gunpowder green fits my tastes perfectly: strong, hardy, and blends well with milk..... Yes, I like milk in my green tea! Steep it longer than usual for the best taste.
I have been thoroughly enjoying my Gunpowder Tea from Little Red Cup. Often when I drink green tea, it bothers my stomach. Not so with this Gunpowder Tea and all the other green teas here. It's light and delicious and refreshing!
This little cup purchase made my day. The gunpowder green is my daily green tea. Little cup offers quality loose tea and creative packaging. Thanks for the extra goodies with the shipment.
I notice a difference with this Gunpowder compared to other companies that I’ve bought in the past. Your supply is cleaner, few twigs and more leaves. This is my morning go to and afternoon pick me up. A little goes a long way— I appreciate that the leaves hold up for a second brew. I love this company for the attention they give to the details with each order. Also, that my morning beverage is sustainably-grown and supports small businesses.
Another top notch tea. I made it with mint, Moroccan style.
The tea was delicious and it smelled great too!
I love the Gunpowder Green Tea; the flavor is delicious and mellow. You can make a second steeping and it's still wonderful. I start every morning with either Gunpowder or Jasmine. I love every tea I've tried from Little Red Cup. White Peony is a favorite too!
Gunpowder Green Tea
Have now placed 2 orders. Love both green and black teas. Especially fond of Jasmine, Gunpowder and Lapsang Souchong. Also, love the stainless steel filter. Wonderful company! Love the personal postcard included in each order.
Why Our Tea Is Organic
Tea is among the most heavily treated crops in conventional agriculture. When you steep tea leaves in hot water, you’re making an extraction—and that extraction doesn’t discriminate between flavor compounds and pesticide residues. Every tea we sell meets certified organic standards. Our teas are certified organic by the USDA and MOFGA (Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association), a leading independent organic certifier. This means no synthetic pesticides, no chemical fertilizers, and annual third-party inspections to verify it. We source from worker-owned cooperatives in rural, mountainous regions of China, where traditional growing methods align naturally with organic standards. These aren’t industrial plantations; they’re small farms where people have been growing tea the same way for generations. Healthier soil produces better tea. Plants grown without synthetic chemical inputs develop more complex flavor profiles. You can taste the difference.
