

Gunpowder
TASTING NOTES: asparagus, dark chocolate, toasted sesame seeds, lemon
Infamous bold green tea. Tightly woven tea pearls make a strong and spicy brew with slightly smoky aromas. There’s also a delicate, nutty undertone, similar to toasted sesame seeds, and a slight citrusy finish that recalls the zest of a lemon. The overall experience is full-bodied and invigorating, with a lingering astringency that cleanses the palate.Tea character
Leaf
warm cinnamon bark, smoldering incense, aged spice racks
Cup
delicate smoke, clove, burnt cinnamon sticks, of toasted caramel
Flavor
cinnamon, spices, honey

Tea story
Deep in the misty mountains of Shimada, tea artisan Matsumoto-san revives an age-old technique with an unexpected twist—using cinnamon wood to smoke his black tea. This method, rooted in Japan’s reverence for craftsmanship, mirrors ancient smoking traditions used to preserve and enrich flavors. Unlike Lapsang Souchong’s pinewood smokiness, this tea carries a softer, more nuanced depth—where fragrant cinnamon bark infuses the leaves with a natural warmth, without a trace of artificial flavoring.
The tea itself is cultivated through Chagusaba, a UNESCO-recognized traditional method where grasslands are carefully maintained around the tea fields. The dried grass is used both as mulch and shading, enriching the soil while promoting sustainability. Once harvested, the leaves are withered, rolled, and oxidized before undergoing a slow smoking process over cinnamon wood, allowing the delicate spice notes to meld into the tea’s body. The result is an intricate, incense-like smokiness that intertwines with whispers of warming spice—perfect for slow, contemplative sipping on crisp evenings.
Tea Region | Shimada, Shizuoka, Japan
Tea tree | Camellia sinensis sinensis
Cultivar | Yabukita
Harvest | Spring, 2024
Picking & processing | Mature whole leaves, oxidized, smoked over cinnamon wood
Pulled pork bao
Soft steamed buns filled with slow-cooked, smoky pork that complements the tea’s warming spice and incense-like smokiness.
Roasted chestnuts
The natural sweetness and earthy depth of chestnuts enhance the tea’s gentle cinnamon and caramelized wood notes.
Dark chocolate & orange tart
The bittersweet richness of dark chocolate highlights the tea’s subtle spice, while citrus zest adds a contrasting brightness.


