As promised, here are my thoughts in re: samples of seven gunpowder green teas from Upton.
- ZG20 China First Grade Gunpowder - Brewed 1 tsp. in 8 oz at 180F for 2-1/2 min. was very smoky in aroma. Brewed 1/2 tsp. was a lot less smoky and the flavor was green and sweet. Also good as cold tea. Not one of my favorites, so I won't reorder.
- ZG21 China Organic Gunpowder - Brewed 1/2 tsp. in 8 oz at 175F for 2-1/2 min. is very pleasant, smooth, slightly sweet and green. Brewed for 90 sec. at 160F is milder but still too green for me. I won't reorder.
- ZG24 China Organic Gunpowder Dao Ming - Brewed 1/2 tsp. in 8 oz at 175F for 2-1/2 min is too bold and too green while being smooth and a little sweet. Brewed for 90 sec. at 160F makes a huge difference: a lot smoother, a bit sweeter, barely green and still bold w/o being too bold. I won't, however, reorder.
- ZG30 Special Grade Temple of Heaven, agonized over in the ToH thread started by Cathy Weeks on 12/9, so this is summary only - Finally, brewing 3/8 tsp. in 8 oz at 180F for 2 min. 40 sec. gave me the best flavor of all. It's not as smooth as the ZG34 Special Grade Pearl #1 Gunpowder which is sweeter and has better flavor so, I don't plan to reorder the ToH. Later, brewed 1/2 tsp. at 160F for 2-1/2 min. which also worked well enough. Cold tea is the same. Still not going to reorder.
- ZG32 Special Grade Green Dew Gunpowder - Brewed 1/2 tsp. in 8 oz at 175F for 2-1/2 min. is very smooth, good taste w/o being very "green" and there was a sweetness which lingered afterwards. Very nice, it's sweeter and slightly greener than the Jade Pearl.
- ZG34 Jade Pearl Gunpowder - This is a very forgiving tea yielding a nice drinkable cup at varying amounts and times. I settled on 1/2 tsp. in 8 oz at/or below 180F for 2-1/2 min. It has a fuller body and, while sweeter than most of the others, it isn't quite as sweet as the Green Dew.
- TG45 Gunpowder Green Peppermint (actually a flavored tea) - Brewed 1/2 tsp. in 8 oz at 160F for about 2-1/2 min. was smooth with a nice, slightly smoky-mint aroma and a mild taste. Brewed 1 tsp. in 8 oz at 160F for 3 min. gave much better flavor but still want to try brewing for 2-3/4 min. and 1/2 tsp. for 3 min. This is a nice novelty tea; the gunpowder isn't as smooth as the Jade Pearl or the Green Dew, but serves to strike a suitable counterpoint with the peppermint.
In conclusion, I wanted to find a single gunpowder to keep on hand as a staple, but can't decide between the Green Dew and the Jade Pearl. I like each for different reasons and after comparing them at 160F for 2-1/2 min., I'm at the point of buying them both.
Respectfully submitted,