Chun Mee Loose Leaf Green Tea: Taste & Brewing

Chun Mee, also spelled Chunmei, is a style of green tea. The name points to the slender curve of the dry leaves, and a name describes a style, so check the package for details about a particular tea.

Long, twisted green tea leaves like these are sometimes called eyebrow tea, while round ones are called pearl tea. That makes the dry leaf an easy way to tell Chun Mee from Gunpowder.

Chun Mee doesn’t have one flavor that applies to every tea. Beta Tea’s Special Chun Mee is light and refreshing, with a gently brisk character. It’s also smooth, with mild sweetness and gentle earthy notes. That describes this tea, not every Chun Mee.

For your first cup, brew it plain and follow the package directions. That way you’ll notice the tea’s own aroma and flavor before adding anything else.

The clearest difference is the dry leaf. Chun Mee is shaped into long, curved strands, and Gunpowder is rolled into small, round pellets. Both are green teas, and neither name tells you the exact caffeine or strength.

Choose by the look and tasting notes you like best. Beta Tea’s Gunpowder is bold and full-bodied with roasted notes, while its Chun Mee is smooth, lightly sweet, and gently earthy.

Here’s how to brew a cup of Beta Tea Special Chun Mee:

1. Measure 1 to 2 teaspoons of tea.
2. Heat 6 ounces (180 ml) of fresh water to 175°F (80°C). That’s hot, but not boiling.
3. Pour the water over the tea.
4. Steep for 2 to 3 minutes.
5. Strain the leaves and enjoy.

Use an infuser or teapot that gives the leaves room to open. If you want a different strength, change one thing at a time.

Yes. Chun Mee is green tea, so it contains caffeine. The FDA lists 37 milligrams as a typical amount in a 12-ounce green tea drink, but it notes that caffeine varies by product and serving size. That’s a general estimate, not a measurement of Beta Tea’s Chun Mee.