On the left is a leaf of gunpowder green tea before brewing. On the right is a brewed leaf. Chinese green tea is famous for the unique leaf shape, said to resemble 18th century gunpowder pellets. Each silvery green leaf is rolled into a pellet during processing, a technique perfected over centuries to preserve freshness. Once in the cup, the pellets open up into large olive green leaves. Chineses Gunpowder tea is produced in Zhejiang Province. Gunpowder tea production dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618–907)