Gunpowder Passion Fruit Guava and Mango Loose Leaf Green Tea

🍵 The Leaf — Chinese gunpowder green tea, each leaf tightly rolled into a small pellet using a method dating to the Tang Dynasty, blended with pieces of passion fruit, guava and mango for a vivid tropical character

🍵 The Colour — A warm golden liquor with a bright, clean clarity, softened by the natural sweetness of the fruit and given gentle depth by the smooth gunpowder base

🍵 The Flavour — Lively and fruity, with passion fruit bringing brightness, guava adding mellow tropical depth, and mango rounding the finish with smooth, naturally sweet warmth

🍵 The Occasion — Equally good as a bright morning brew, a refreshing afternoon cup, or served chilled over ice on a warm day — a versatile loose leaf green tea for everyday enjoyment

Gunpowder green tea has one of the longest and most distinctive histories in Chinese tea culture. Originating in the Zhejiang province during the Tang Dynasty — over a thousand years ago — it takes its name from the tightly rolled pellets that each leaf is shaped into after withering and steaming, which bear a striking resemblance to early black powder shot. The Chinese, who knew this tea first, called it zhū chá: pearl tea. This version pairs that ancient base with a vivid trio of tropical fruits — passion fruit, guava and mango — creating a loose leaf green tea that is both deeply rooted in tradition and wonderfully vibrant in character.

The gunpowder pellets open slowly in hot water, releasing a smooth, full-bodied liquor with a gentle, naturally grassy freshness. Unlike more delicate green teas, gunpowder has a rounded weight and substance that makes it an excellent carrier for flavour — and tropical fruit plays to that strength beautifully. Passion fruit brings a clean, tangy brightness; guava adds a mellow, sun-warmed depth; and mango contributes a soft, sweet finish that lingers pleasantly. Together they bring the cup alive without overwhelming the tea beneath.

The result is a loose leaf green tea that drinks with real energy and warmth. There is nothing heavy or cloying here — the fruit is lively but well balanced, and the gunpowder base keeps everything grounded with its characteristic smoothness. It works just as well brewed hot as it does served chilled over ice, making it one of the more versatile teas in the range and a particularly welcome choice when you want something fruity without reaching for a herbal infusion.

Since 2008, High Teas London has been one of the country's leading independent tea specialists. With one of the largest collections available — over 350 teas and infusions from gardens and blending houses across the globe — we have always sought out teas that offer something genuinely interesting, whether that is a rare single-estate leaf or a blend like this one, which manages to be both fun and quietly serious at the same time.

Ingredients: Green gunpowder style China tea, passion fruit pieces, guava pieces, mango pieces.

Brewing Note: Gunpowder green tea is more forgiving than many green teas, but it still rewards a little care with the water temperature. Let freshly boiled water cool for two to three minutes before pouring — aim for around 75 to 80°C — and steep for three to four minutes. Use a slightly heaped teaspoon per cup, as the pellets are denser than loose-leaf teas and will expand considerably as they open. For a lighter, more delicate cup, reduce the steep time rather than the quantity of leaf. This blend also cold brews beautifully: add a heaped teaspoon to a glass or jug of cold water, leave in the fridge overnight, and serve over ice the following day for a naturally sweet and refreshing iced tea.