This fair trade certified organic tea from the fujian province of china is smoked during manufacture, giving it a distinctive flavor and aroma, sometimes referred to as tarry. Lapsang souchonglearn how this stong, black tea is. This is totally different from all those popular fables out there. This black tea is world famous for its unique smoky flavor. Lapsangs comes from the wuyi mountains wuyishan in the northeastern part of fujian province. This was where black teas were first developed called bohea. Twinings lapsang souchong black tea twinings north america. Lapsang souchong they ship fast and free above a minimum. An introduction to tea healthy benefits of tea history of tea how various teas are produced. Lapsang souchong tea is a chinese black tea native to the mountainous wu yi region, in the province of fujian mostly enjoyed at breakfast, this is a tea that is strong, healthy and flavorful. The lapsang souchong zhengshan xiaozhong is the worlds oldest black tea.
Some people never get over the pungent, tarry flavor and intense smell of the beverage, but using it as a rub, marinade, or other seasoning is totally smart. Here is some information about lapsang souchong black tea. Lapsang souchong tea guide lapsang souchong leaves brew to a strong, smoky flavor like a campfire lapsang souchong is a chinese black tea that is sometimes also referred to as smoked tea, because the leaves are smokedried over pinewood fires. This imparts the wonderful smoky flavour our lapsang souchong is renowned for. The tea leaves are processed with the heat and smoke of pine fires to give it the characteristic strong scent and flavor.
A notable feature of russian tea culture is the twostep brewing process. The green tea is preferentially recommended for its strong antioxidant properties and also for its antimicrobial activity. They lit fires of pine to rush the tea along, and in turn infused the leaves with the distinctive smokiness that makes this tea so unusual. You may also wish to try adding a pinch of lapsangsouchong to a cup of english breakfast blend to add a whole new layer of flavor notes to savor. By the time the chajing, the first book on tea, was written in 780, tea was. The lapsang souchong tea is generally consumed with sugar or milk. Its most distinguishing characteristic is its rich smokiness and, much like peaty scotch whisky from islay, it is an acquired taste. Then, each person pours some quantity of this concentrate into the cup and mixes it with hot water.
Lapsang souchong is a black tea produced in the rugged wuyi mountains of fujian province, china. Sometime during the qing dynasty 16441912, a group of fujian tea farmers found themselves confronted by bandits. It is unique large leaf tea distinguished by its smoky aroma and flavour. Lapsang souchong, or tarry lapsang as its called in the west is a black tea infused with pine smoke to give it a strong, smoky flavor all its own. This tea is known for the smoky flavor that makes it. The history, preparation and characteristics that make this chinese tea special.
When told that his captain picard character would drink a lot of tea, sir patrick stewart originally suggested that he drink lapsang souchong, but the producers were afraid the audience wouldnt know what that was, so the character drank earl grey tea instead. There is great demand for this tea, which has led to its being produced. Traditional lapsang souchong black tea loose tea tea. Lapsang souchong is brewed similarly to any black tea, though youll find experimenting with your own parameters can really bring out the flavors you like bestmore smoke, less smoke, more. But, depending upon ones palate, the taste can be light and intriguing or it can be heavy and overpowering. Not sure whether thats where i first learned about lapsang souchong the smoky tea as a taste much different from all the others.
After the lapsang souchong tea was used for producing black tea called min hong meaning black tea produced in fujian, people started to move the tea bush to different places like keemun, india and ceylon. China lapsang souchong should be steeped for 45 minutes. Plucked leaves are withered in baskets over smoking wood fires. The story of how lapsang souchong russian caravan tea was. Today, taiwans tea producers have perfected the art of growing and processing lapsang souchong tea. A battle for territory was behind the creation of lapsang souchong tea also called russian caravan. Following an age old method, the tea leaves are laid in bamboo baskets and dried over glowing pinewood embers. After the lapsang souchong tea was used for producing black tea called min hong meaning black tea produced in fujian, people started to move the tea bush to different places, such as keemun, india and ceylon. I got so interested in the subject of tea that i started reading books about it, including talking of tea. It is not only the harney mission to deliver quality tea products to their customers, but also to educate the world of tea history and taste. At in pursuit of tea, we never carried it before, because over the years this tea has suffered so many transformations and became so far removed from the original. To tea producers, when referring to the lapsang souchong the rest of the world understand, there is always the prefix the smoked type. The popularity of lapsang souchong happened some 60 years later 3. Lapsang souchong sometimes referred to as smoked tea, is a black tea camellia.
Lapsangs smoky flavor may also be used to add a distinctive tang to a variety of savory culinary creations. I got so interested in the subject of tea that i started reading books about it. The smoky, deep and distinctive lapsang souchong is famous the world over, it originated in china many centuries ago. I associate lapsang souchong as drinking a steeping of my husbands bbq smoker, so i wonder how a traditionally made lapsang souchong would taste. Lapsang souchong is a chinese black tea that creates a campfire aroma and brews coppery in the cup. Lapsang souchong tea,history,growing area of lapsang souchong. Our traditional lapsang souchong superior smoked tea contains only the highest grade loose leaf black tea, and works well as an accompaniment to savory dishes, as well as being equally delicious on its own. Its name was recorded as early as year 1734 when the name souchong or xiaozhong was referred to as the best quality tea trees grown at the rocky area of wuyi mountain which was used to produce oolong tea.
Lapsang souchong, better known in china as zheng shan xiao zhong, has a very unique origin myth. In its native china, meanwhile, lapsang souchong tea goes by the name zheng shan xiao zhong. English tea stores china lapsang souchong tea loose leaf. In the steeply forested mountains wood was plentiful, so it came naturally to smoke tea like bacon. In fact,most tea experts thought lapsang souchong originated from oolong tea. You may have heard of lapsang souchong tea, a unique variety of black tea that originated in china. Lapsang souchong is best described as an acquired taste. Our lapsang souchong, or li shan xiao zhong, comes from a fully organic production in the famous tong mu village of the wu yi mountain tea growing region. Oolong and chinese lapsang souchong are popular components in these blends. Todays lapsang souchong is stronger tasting than the original 19 th century teait is more heavily smoked and the tea leaves are likely to be from a. This king grade consists entirely of tea buds and epitomizes the famed longan fruit flavor and slight smokiness. Once a very secretive process, lapsang souchong is prepared using the same manual techniques today that have been passed down from generation to. Tarry lapsang souchong superior black tea loose tea.
This is a tea youll either love or hate, with no middle ground. The tarry taste is acquired through drying over pine wood fires. Lapsang souchong chinese smoked black tea curious tea. The remarkable beginning of black tea by austin hodge, on november 29, 20 in.
Lapsang souchong is the first black tea in history traded between britain and china back to qin dynasty luxury ingredients. Davidsons tea bag, lapsang souchong black, 16 ounce. If you only keep one lapsang souchong in your tea collection, this superior grade offering would be. If you havent tried lapsang souchong before, you owe it to yourself to give it at least a small test.
It has a light body, with a smooth crisp character and a. As terrified villagers of wuyi shan flee for their lives, theyre forced to hide their tea to protect it, unwittingly creating a totally new kind of tea. This is the traditional chinese lapsang souchong, subtle, not the britishstyle stuff with the overwhelming smell of campfire smoke. The organic lapsang souchong china black tea blend from english tea store boasts a smoky aroma and flavor. Lapsang souchong is often referred to as a tarry tea, a texture and taste that is popular and sought after by tea connoisseurs. It is said the name of lapsang souchong came from wuyi rock tea. Legend has it that lapsang souchong, and indeed black tea as a whole, was the product of an accident. It is produced like black tea, but is dried over pine fires, allowing the smoke to impart a unique aroma to the tea. A superior leaf lapsang souchong offering a crisp character with the remarkable and heady aroma of an oak fire with smoky taste. Davidsons lapsang souchong is a robust, smoky black tea with a pinelike finish. Our lapsangsouchong tastes particularly good with salty and spicy dishes and also with cheese. Walking home last night, the neighborhood was thick with the smells of barbecue.
Lapsang souchong, the original version tea guardian. As with many famous chinese teas, it is hard to know where history ends and legends begin. Barbecue wood chips, liquid smoke, bits of smoked baconwhether were grilling or not, we have lots of tricks to infuse our favorite dishes with a subtle smokiness. Ive only ever tried one other lapsang souchong on par with this, the lapsang souchong superior grade from life in teacup. Like cigars and whiskey, lapsang souchong tea is an acquired taste. This video is for educational and informational purposes only. With it, you can easily get barbecuelike results for meats and vegetables, all without breaking. Souchong, on the other hand, refers to the fourth or fifth leaf used from the camellia sinensis tea plant when making lapsang.
According to some sources, lapsang souchong is the first black tea in history, even earlier than keemun tea. Some people will tell you there is a great deal of poetry. Many tea lovers report that they enjoy drinking it outdoors, especially after any intense activity. Its creation is credited to the thick, roughlooking souchong leaves that are withered over burning pine bows. These thieves and renegades demanded that the farmers harvest their crop and hand it over. Lapsang souchong is a black tea originally from the wuyi region of china province of. She is the creator of nice coffee time, a book of photographs of the best coffee in the world, published by presspop, is the new york city. Lapsang souchong definition and meaning collins english. Perhaps the first black tea made in the world, the best coming from the hills in north fujian, china. Lapsang souchong originated in the wuyi mountains, in chinas fujian province, but is also produced in taiwan. Lapsang souchong is the first black tea in history, even earlier than the famous keemun tea.
Using one rounded teaspoon of loose tea or one teabag for each cup required, pour the boiling water over the tea leaves. Zhuping demonstrates how to brew tongmu lapsang souchong black tea in a pint glass and large glass pot. Try lapsang souchong from experience tea experience tea. Add water just under the boil and infuse for 23 minutes. My tea came with a letter stating that this particular lapsang souchong is made the traditional way not smoked over pine needles. Weve revisited this topic in a new blog post, the east is red. Its spicey, whiskeyy, and an instant favorite for some and an instant revulsion for others. This tea has a characteristic smoky profile that lapsang souchong teas are famous for. The tea adds a smoky yet not overwhelming flavor to dishes of all kinds. Chinas red black tea renaissance, with updates on how the story of tongmu black tea continues to influence the chinese tea market.
Tongmu lapsang souchong black tea brewing guide youtube. Lapsang souchong tea will understand the naming of this tea, originally from. One of the more well known teas is lapsang souchong famous for its smoky flavor. Whether through their dedicated customer service team, their published guides to tea drinking, or their two tea tasting shops, the harney.