PIN LIN GUNPOWDER

A smooth and satisfying cup with dashes of bakiness. Premium gunpowder that hails from Pin Lin, Taiwan's tea capital.

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100 g	$10.34 / per cup $0.20
250 g	$20.10 / per cup $0.16
500 g	$30.44 / per cup $0.12
1 kg	$57.43 / per cup $0.11

Category: Green

Type: Tea

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Description
Product Information
Brewing Instructions

Taiwan is known for producing the world's finest gunpowder teas. They should be, they've had a lot of practice - tea plants were first brought to the island over 300 years ago from Fujian province in China. Tea growers recognized that Taiwan had the climactic conditions and topographical features required for producing excellent teas, these being lofty mountain meadows, fresh water and wet humid conditions. In fact, the conditions make it possible for tea bushes in Taiwan to flush 5 times a year from April to December with the best teas plucked from the end of May to mid-August. (The flush is a period of exceptional leaf growth.) The exact origin of gunpowder production is unknown but at one time, but before 1900 gunpowders accounted for 60% of American tea imports, such was its popularity.

The process for making gunpowder was, and still is, rather complicated. First, freshly plucked green leaf is pan-fired at between 280' and 300'C to keep it from fermenting. In early times, this would have been done by hand in large wok shaped pan, today it is done by machine. Next, the leaves are rolled to facilitate molecular breakdown in the leaf, release flavor and make the leaves more pliable for shaping. After rolling the leaf is broken into smaller pieces and sent to the primary dryer. The tea is sent through this dryer 3 times for 30 minutes at around 125'. After drying the leaf is sent to the rolling machine. Depending on the style being produced that day, different shaped machines are used. In the case of gunpowder the roller is a round drum that turns the tea over and over in on itself. The final stage, the one that gives gunpowder its signature glossy look and brittle texture is secondary drying at temperatures ranging from 70' to 100' depending on ambient humidity. At the end of the process the leaf should have moisture content of no more than 5% and be tightly wound into a neat ball-like shape.

The result is a truly special tea with a unique flavor. The cup displays notes of smoke and sweet grass, with subtle undertones of burnt honey. A common mistake is to brew gunpowder in water that is too hot and scalding to the mouth. If this is done, many of the subtle layers of character may be lost. Instead, use water that has almost reached the boiling point. This will allow your tongue to properly catalogue the nuances of the tea without searing your taste buds. Pin Lin Gunpowder - a stunning example of a Taiwanese gunpowder tea.
Tea Type: Green

Country: Taiwan

Region: Taipei County

Grade: Gunpowder

Altitude:500' ft. - 1000' ft. above sea level.

Manufacturer Type: Gunpowder traditional.

Ingredients: Luxury green tea

Cup Characteristics: A smooth and satisfying cup with dashes of bakiness. Premium gunpowder that hails from Pin Lin, Taiwan's tea capital.

Infusion: Pale green
Brewing Hot

Traditional method (see note below): When preparing by the cup, this tea can be used repeatedly - about 3 times. The secret is to use water that is about 180'F/82'C. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon in your cup let the tea steep for about 3 minutes and then begin enjoying a cup of enchantment - do not remove the leaves from the cup. Adding milk and sugar is not recommended. Once the water level is low - add more water, and so on and so on - until the flavor of the tea is exhausted. Look at the pattern of the leaves in the brew, not only do they foretell your fortune but you can see the bud and shoots presenting themselves, looking like they are about to be plucked.

Modern Method: Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea, 1 tea bag or 1 Q3 single serve packet for each 7-9oz/200-260ml of fluid volume in the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea). Adding milk or sugar is not recommended.

Note: Traditionally, the recommendation has been that green tea be brewed at 180'F/82'C. Regretfully, modern society makes it necessary to consider that water may not be free of harmful bacteria and other impurities. Therefore you need to boil water to kill bacteria. If you wish to use traditional brewing temperatures bring the water to a boil and allow it to cool to the desired brewing temperature - it's the food safe thing to do!

Brewing Cold

Iced tea brewing method (Pitcher): (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 slightly heaping teaspoons of loose tea, 6 tea bags or 6 Q3 single serve packets into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 11/2 cups/315ml over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the tea or removing the tea bags. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to increase the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water. (Note: Some luxury quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of luxury quality and nothing to worry about!)

Iced tea brewing method (Individual Serving): Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea, 1 tea bag or 1 Q3 single serve packet into a teapot for each serving required. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 6-7oz/170-200ml per serving over the tea. Cover and let steep for 5 minutes. Add hot tea to a 12oz/375ml acrylic glass filled with ice, straining the tea or removing the bags. Not all of the tea will fit, allowing for approximately an additional 1/2 serving. A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to increase the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted. (Note: Some luxury quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of luxury quality and nothing to worry about!)