Uncle Lee's Gunpowder Green Tea in Bulk derives its name from the shape of the finished tea leaves. Legend has it that the name "unpowder" was given by an imaginative English clerk who thought that the dark green tea leaves, rolled into round pellets, looked like gunpowder. In China the name for gunpowder tea is "pearl tea". Rolling the leaves has a beneficial effect on the quality of the tea. Not only does it force to the surface flavorful juices that otherwise would remain in the leaf, but the pellet retains its shape during firing and keeps its freshness longer than other loose leaf teas. Uncle Lee's Gunpowder Tea has a dark golden color, roasted or toasted taste with a strong aftertaste lingering in the front palette, and a strong roasted or toasted aroma. When brewed, the teas unfold into large leaves. Our Gunpowder Green Tea is rich in natural fluoride, calcium and anti-oxidants and has only 20 to 30 mg. of caffeine per cup.