Pinhead Gunpowder (Green Tea)

This "Zhou Cha" (ball tea) is a classic of Chinese tea culture. The green tea gets its charismatic shape through an elaborate process. The loose tea is swirled and scooped for up to five hours in a wok heated over a wood fire. The result is gunpowder-like pellets, which after preparation result in a beautiful golden-yellow cup with a mildly smoky and slightly tart aroma.