Which tea is known as 'Gunpowder' due to its rolled leaves?

The tea known as “Gunpowder” because of its tightly rolled leaves is Gunpowder tea.

Gunpowder tea is made by rolling individual tea leaves into small pellets. Their compact, bead-like appearance resembles grains of gunpowder, which explains the English name. In Mandarin, it is commonly called zhū chá, meaning “pearl tea” or “bead tea.”

The style dates back to China’s Tang dynasty, which lasted from 618 to 907. Rolling helps protect the leaves from physical damage and allows them to retain flavor and aroma during storage. When steeped, the pellets slowly unfurl into recognizable leaves.

Gunpowder is most often associated with green tea, but the rolling method can also be used for some oolong teas. It is especially important in Moroccan mint tea, where Gunpowder tea is brewed with fresh mint and sugar. “Gunpowder” describes the leaf shape and processing style, not a separate tea plant species.