Morocco is one of the largest per-capita buyers of Chinese green tea in the world, and almost every kilo of it ends up in the same place: a teapot with a fistful of fresh spearmint and a generous pour of sugar. Yet a walk through any Casablanca wholesale market shows two very different leaf styles side by side — the long, thin, eyebrow-shaped strands of Chunmee and the shiny, tightly rolled pellets of Gunpowder. Importers ask us the same question every season: if Moroccan mint tea is one drink, why two teas, and which one should my container carry?
This guide answers that question commercially rather than poetically. It explains what each tea actually is, how the two cups behave under sugar and mint, which item numbers Moroccan buyers recognise, how those numbers map onto the GB/T 14456 limits you should write into a contract, what the price difference looks like per litre of brewed tea, and how to specify both so that your second container matches your first. If you are still deciding whether to import green tea at all, start with our Green Tea Guide and come back here for the market decision.
Why One Market Buys Two Leaf Styles
Moroccan atay is not a delicate infusion. Dry leaf is steeped hard, often boiled briefly, then blended with spearmint and sugar and poured from height to build a foam. The same pot is served three times, and the traditional saying captures the arc: the first glass is bitter as life, the second strong as love, the third gentle as death. A tea that wins in this format needs three qualities — enough body and colour to survive dilution, an astringent edge that cuts through sugar without turning metallic, and a low enough price that a family can brew three pots a day.
Chunmee satisfies all three at the lowest cost per litre, which is why it is the volume backbone of the market. Gunpowder survives for the opposite reason: its pellet structure releases flavour slowly, so it holds up in long traditional steeping, and its rounder, faintly roasted cup reads as “premium” to a consumer who grew up with the classic teapot presentation. In practice the Moroccan trade is not either-or. Most large packing houses blend, and most portfolios carry both.
Chunmee: the strand tea (眉茶)
Chunmee — literally “precious eyebrows” — is pan-fired green tea rolled into long, thin, curved strands. Origin is concentrated in Zhejiang, Anhui and Jiangxi. The cup is bright yellowish-green, the aroma is chestnut-like and fresh, and the taste is strong, brisk and slightly astringent by design: that astringency is a feature, not a defect, because it is what keeps the tea present after mint and sugar are added. Chunmee is graded largely by how tight and even the strands are, how much broken leaf and stem the lot carries, and the plucking standard behind it.
Gunpowder: the pellet tea (珠茶)
Gunpowder is produced mainly around Shaoxing and Zhuji in Zhejiang. After pan-firing, the leaf is rolled into small, dense, glossy pellets — the older the style, the tighter the ball. Because the leaf surface is compressed, extraction is slower and more even, the liquor is a shade deeper yellow-green, and the aroma carries a roasted, smoky-sweet note instead of Chunmee’s fresh chestnut. Grading is dominated by pellet tightness, size uniformity and colour: high grades feel heavy and compact in the hand, low grades feel loose and look dull.
| Attribute | Chunmee green tea | Gunpowder green tea |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf style | Long, thin, curved strands (“eyebrows”) | Small, dense, round pellets |
| Main origin | Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi | Zhejiang (Shaoxing / Zhuji) |
| Reference item numbers | 41022, 41022A, 41005, 9371, 9676 | 3505, 9372, 9475 |
| Liquor | Bright yellowish-green, clear | Yellow-green, slightly deeper, clear |
| Aroma | Fresh, chestnut-like | Roasted, smoky-sweet |
| Taste in atay | Strong, brisk, astringent — carries sugar and mint | Full, rounder, softer edge — sweeter finish |
| Extraction speed | Fast (strand surface exposed) | Slower, more even (compressed pellet) |
| Typical channel | Mass loose retail, blending base, tea-bag raw material | Traditional teahouses, HoReCa, premium loose packs |
| Share of Moroccan volume | Dominant | Secondary, premium-weighted |
Reading the Item Numbers Before You Read the Price
Moroccan buyers quote item numbers, not adjectives. “41022” and “3505” are the two most common in purchase orders, and price differences of 30–40% between numbers of the same family are normal — they reflect picking standard, tightness and the amount of broken leaf and stem, not marketing. A supplier who quotes a single price for “Chunmee” without a number is telling you that the grade is whatever was cheapest that week.
Within the Chunmee family, 41022 is the reference whole-leaf grade: tight, thin, evenly rolled strands, the specification behind most quality-conscious Moroccan loose brands. Suffixes such as 41022A and 41022AAA indicate ascending selection within the same style. 41005 is the sieved small-particle grade used as tea-bag raw material, valued for dosing consistency and fast brewing rather than appearance. 9371 and 9676 are the economical bulk grades: looser roll, higher stem and broken content, and the natural base for value blends. On the Gunpowder side, 3505 is the classic superior pellet, with 9372 and 9475 sitting below it in tightness and uniformity.
| Item no. | Style / grade role | Typical GB/T 14456 limits (confirm per COA) | Indicative FOB band (USD/kg) | Best-fit buyer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41022 / 41022A | Chunmee whole-leaf, reference grade | Moisture ≤ 6.5%; ash ≤ 7.0%; dust ≤ 1.5%; stem ≤ 2–3%; extract ≥ 34% | 3.20 – 3.90 | Loose retail brands, premium atay packs |
| 9371 / 9676 | Chunmee economy bulk | Moisture ≤ 6.5%; ash ≤ 7.0%; dust ≤ 2.0%; stem ≤ 4–5%; extract ≥ 32% | 2.55 – 3.05 | Value blends, wholesale sacks, tenders |
| 41005 | Chunmee fannings for tea bags | Moisture ≤ 6.5%; ash ≤ 7.0%; particle size per sieve spec; extract ≥ 32% | 2.20 – 2.70 | Tea-bag factories, private label |
| 3505 | Gunpowder superior pellet | Moisture ≤ 6.5%; ash ≤ 7.0%; powder ≤ 1.0%; pellet tightness ≥ 90% | 3.60 – 4.40 | Teahouses, HoReCa, premium gift packs |
| 9372 / 9475 | Gunpowder lower grades | Moisture ≤ 6.5%; ash ≤ 7.0%; powder ≤ 1.5%; tighter sieve losses allowed | 2.90 – 3.40 | Blenders, second-tier retail |
The price bands above are indicative FOB ranges for a standard 2026 crop, 25–30 kg woven-bag packing, and move with crop season, freight and order size. Treat them as a sanity check on quotes, not as a price list. What matters more is the ratio: a well-specified 41022 costs roughly 25–30% more per kilo than 9371, but it also yields a cup that a brand can sell at a premium — the arithmetic only works one way for each channel.
The Cup Under Sugar and Mint: How to Taste for Morocco
Cupping Chunmee and Gunpowder with a professional spoon tells you about leaf quality, but it does not tell you how the tea will behave in atay. We recommend a second, market-specific test: brew both samples the way the customer will. Use roughly 10 g of leaf per litre of water, steep 3–4 minutes, then add fresh spearmint and sugar at the ratio your customer uses, and taste at first, second and third pour. Hard water — common in many Moroccan cities — flattens aroma and pushes astringency forward, so if you can, test with the local water profile rather than distilled water.
What you will typically find: Chunmee gives colour and grip immediately and stays present through the third glass; Gunpowder opens more slowly, peaks at the second glass, and finishes sweeter and softer. Neither is “better”. If your brand promises a strong, deep-coloured glass, Chunmee is the honest choice. If your brand sells the ceremony — the teapot, the foam, the long steep — Gunpowder supports that story. Many successful Moroccan brands run a 70/30 or 60/40 Chunmee-to-Gunpowder blend: the Chunmee supplies body and cost efficiency, the Gunpowder rounds the finish and adds the roasted note consumers associate with traditional atay.
Cost per Litre, Not Cost per Kilo
The single most common costing error we see from new importers is comparing FOB price per kilo between the two teas and stopping there. The relevant number is cost per litre of brewed tea, because extraction yield differs: strand tea gives up its solubles faster and slightly more completely than tightly rolled pellets, and pellet tea is often brewed longer in traditional service. The table below models a standard atay recipe at 10 g per litre to make the comparison explicit.
| Item | Indicative FOB (USD/kg) | Grams per litre (atay recipe) | Litres per kg | Tea cost per litre (USD) | Commercial read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chunmee 9371 | 2.80 | 10 | 100 | 0.028 | Lowest cost per glass; use where price drives volume |
| Chunmee 41022 | 3.55 | 10 | 100 | 0.036 | Best balance of cup quality and cost for branded loose retail |
| Gunpowder 3505 | 4.00 | 10 | 100 | 0.040 | ~11% premium over 41022; justified only where the ceremony sells |
| Chunmee 41005 (bags) | 2.45 | 9 (bag format) | 111 | 0.022 | Cheapest per litre; appearance not a factor in a bag |
At these spreads, the difference between 41022 and 3505 is about one US cent per litre — trivial in a café, material in a family pack sold at a fixed price point. That is exactly why Gunpowder concentrates in HoReCa and gift formats while Chunmee owns the shelf. Add freight, duty, inland transport and packing to get landed cost; the ratio between the two teas stays roughly constant, so the channel decision does not change with freight rates.
Specifying Quality: The Numbers That Cause Disputes
Both teas fall under GB/T 14456 (green tea), with contaminants and residues governed by GB 2762 and GB 2763. Citing the standard in your contract is necessary but not sufficient: GB/T 14456 defines grade bands, and a supplier can legally deliver a lot at the bottom of a band. Pin the limits that matter to your market, and require a per-lot COA that reports them. Moisture and dust drive shelf life and dosing complaints; stem content drives perceived grade; water extract drives strength in the cup — the thing your customer actually notices.
| Parameter | Contract limit (typical) | Test method | Why it matters in Morocco |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moisture | ≤ 6.5% (Chunmee & Gunpowder) | GB 5009.3 | Above 7% risk of mould in hot warehouse conditions; caking in the bag |
| Total ash | ≤ 7.0% | GB 5009.4 | High ash signals dust, sand or stem-heavy lots |
| Dust / powder | Chunmee ≤ 1.5%; Gunpowder ≤ 1.0% | Sieve test (standard mesh) | Dust clouds the glass and reads as low grade to consumers |
| Stem content | ≤ 2–3% (41022); ≤ 4–5% (9371) | Manual sorting of 100 g sample | Stems add weight and bitterness; the top dispute item in bulk contracts |
| Water extract | ≥ 34% (41022); ≥ 32% (9371, 41005) | GB/T 8305 | Directly predicts strength after sugar and mint dilution |
| Pellet tightness | ≥ 90% retention (3505) | Sieve retention + hand feel | Loose pellets extract too fast and finish thin |
| Pesticide residues | Destination MRL; EU MRL where the buyer re-exports | SGS / Intertek, per lot | Moroccan import controls and EU-bound re-export both require documented compliance |
Three practical safeguards close most of the remaining risk. First, a sealed counter-sample — one at your office, one at the factory — is the only objective reference in an arbitration. Second, declare the crop season per lot: spring Chunmee has more tips and a sweeter cup, summer crop is stronger with more stem, and autumn is thinner; a supplier who will not name the season is usually blending. Third, book third-party pre-shipment inspection on first orders and high-value lots. It costs a fraction of a container and converts a quality argument into a test report.
Packing, MOQ and Container Mathematics
Moroccan bulk trade runs on 25–30 kg PP woven bags with an inner PE liner; retail-ready formats use 5–10 kg cartons or printed packs. Loading density is similar for both teas because the difference is in leaf shape, not bulk density: expect roughly 10–12 MT in a 20GP and 18–22 MT in a 40GP, confirmed against the actual bag spec before you book. Most importers optimise a container by mixing grades — a typical Moroccan mix is 41022 for the branded loose line, 41005 for the tea-bag line, and 9371 as the blend base, with a pallet of 3505 for the HoReCa channel.
Order quantities follow the same logic for both teas: MOQ 500 kg per item for bulk loose tea and 300 kg per SKU for OEM / private label, with printed packaging programmes quoted separately. Samples of 50–200 g are supplied free of charge — you pay only the courier — which is enough to run a dry-leaf, liquor and atay trial before committing capital. Stock items typically ship in about 7 days; custom printed OEM runs need 15–25 days including plate making and packaging approval.
| Commercial item | Standard terms | Notes for Morocco-bound orders |
|---|---|---|
| MOQ (bulk) | 500 kg per item | Mixed-grade containers can combine several items above MOQ |
| MOQ (OEM / private label) | 300 kg per SKU | Printed pouches and cartons quoted per design |
| Samples | 50–200 g free; courier collect | Ask for both a 41022 and a 3505 sample in the same parcel |
| Packing | 25–30 kg PP woven bag + PE liner; 5–10 kg carton | Specify bag weight and marking language (Arabic / French) |
| Loading | 20GP ≈ 10–12 MT; 40GP ≈ 18–22 MT | Confirm against bag spec; allow for palletisation if required |
| Port of loading | FOB Ningbo / Shanghai / Xiamen | Ningbo suits Zhejiang gunpowder and Chunmee; Shanghai for Anhui-origin lots |
| Payment | T/T 30% deposit + 70% against B/L copy; L/C at sight | L/C common on first orders and tender business |
| Documents | Invoice, packing list, B/L, CO, phytosanitary, health cert, COA per lot | Draft documents reviewed 3–5 days before gating |
Ports, Payment and Documentation Discipline
Origin determines the natural load port. Gunpowder from Shaoxing and Zhuji moves most efficiently through Ningbo, and so does most Zhejiang Chunmee; Anhui and Jiangxi lots are often consolidated through Shanghai; Xiamen is the practical choice when you are combining southern categories or OEM packaging with a green tea order. On FOB terms you control freight, which is normally cheaper for Moroccan importers dealing directly with carriers on the Casablanca lane. CIF and DDP quotes are available if you prefer a single landed figure, but compare them against your own freight rate before deciding.
Payment is either T/T — 30% deposit, 70% against the B/L copy — or L/C at sight for larger or first-time contracts. The most frequent cause of delay is not quality but documents: an invoice description that does not match the L/C, a certificate of origin in the wrong form, or a missing health certificate. Send drafts early, check the consignee name and HS description character by character, and confirm bank details by phone rather than email. Moroccan food imports also run through ONSSA registration and labelling requirements; confirm the current dossier with your Casablanca customs broker before booking, since the requirement sits with the importer of record.
A Decision Framework by Channel
If you sell through several channels, do not force one tea to do all the work. The matrix below is the allocation we recommend most often to Moroccan importers building a first container.
| Your channel | Recommended tea | Why | Lock in the contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass loose retail (fixed price point) | Chunmee 9371, blended with 41022 for aroma | Lowest cost per litre at acceptable cup quality | Stem ≤ 5%, dust ≤ 2.0%, extract ≥ 32% |
| Branded loose premium | Chunmee 41022 / 41022A | Tight strands read as quality on the shelf; strong third glass | Stem ≤ 3%, dust ≤ 1.5%, spring crop declared |
| Traditional teahouse / HoReCa | Gunpowder 3505 | Slow, even extraction suits long steeping and ceremony | Pellet tightness ≥ 90%, powder ≤ 1.0% |
| Tea-bag factory | Chunmee 41005 | Consistent particle size doses cleanly, brews fast | Sieve spec per mesh, extract ≥ 32%, moisture ≤ 6.5% |
| Private label / own brand | Blend: 60–70% 41022 + 30–40% 3505 | Body plus rounded finish, differentiated cup | Fixed blend ratio, sealed counter-sample, packaging approval |
Five Mistakes That Cost Moroccan Importers Money
Buying Gunpowder because it looks premium. Pellets photograph well; if your customer brews for volume at a fixed price, the extra cost per kilo buys appearance you cannot charge for. Quoting grades by name only. “Chunmee grade 1” means different things to different factories — insist on an item number plus measurable limits. Ignoring stem and dust limits. These two parameters account for most bulk disputes and most consumer complaints about cloudy glass or bitter finish. Skipping the counter-sample. Without a sealed reference, an arrival dispute becomes an argument about opinions. Accepting an undeclared crop season. Re-baked old tea looks acceptable in a photo and tastes flat in the pot; a lot with no season declaration is where that tea ends up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which green tea is more popular in Morocco, Chunmee or Gunpowder?
Chunmee dominates by volume. Moroccan atay needs strength and colour that survive sugar and spearmint, and Chunmee delivers that at the lowest cost per litre. Gunpowder is the secondary, premium-weighted tea, strongest in traditional teahouses, HoReCa and gift formats, and frequently used as 30–40% of a blend.
Can I blend Chunmee and Gunpowder in one product?
Yes, and many Moroccan brands do. A 60–70% Chunmee base with 30–40% Gunpowder gives body and cost efficiency from the strand tea plus a rounder, faintly roasted finish from the pellets. Fix the ratio in the contract and keep a sealed counter-sample, because blend consistency is what customers notice between batches.
What is the difference between Chunmee 41022 and 9371?
Both are Chunmee green tea, but 41022 is the tight, evenly rolled whole-leaf reference grade with lower stem and dust, while 9371 is an economical bulk grade with a looser roll and higher stem and broken content. Expect roughly 25–30% price difference and use 9371 as a blend base rather than a premium shelf product.
What MOQ, samples and payment terms apply to Moroccan orders?
MOQ is 500 kg per item for bulk loose tea and 300 kg per SKU for OEM/private label. Samples of 50–200 g are free, with courier costs collect. Payment is T/T (30% deposit, 70% against B/L copy) or L/C at sight, on FOB Ningbo, Shanghai or Xiamen. A 20GP holds roughly 10–12 MT of bagged tea.
How can I check whether a green tea lot is dyed or re-baked old tea?
Rub a pinch of dry leaf on white paper — colour transfer indicates dye. Re-baked old tea shows dull, uneven colour, flat or dusty aroma, and a dark, turbid liquor instead of a bright clear one. Confirm with a per-lot COA covering moisture, ash, dust and water extract, and compare the arrival sample against your sealed counter-sample.
Next Step: Compare Both Teas in One Parcel
If you are building a Moroccan range, the fastest way to settle the Chunmee-versus-Gunpowder question is to cup both against your own mint-and-sugar recipe. We send free 50–200 g samples of Chunmee 41022 and Gunpowder 3505 — and, for bag lines, Chunmee 41005 tea-bag grade — in a single parcel so the comparison is like for like. Browse the full range in our tea product catalog, read the market detail on our Morocco tea market page, or send your specification for a firm FOB quote. Smileaf Tea is an SC-licensed, ISO 22000-certified exporter working from Xiamen with FOB Ningbo, Shanghai and Xiamen terms, T/T and L/C payment, MOQ 500 kg bulk / 300 kg OEM, and EU MRL-compliant residue control on every lot.