How Lapsang Souchong Is Produced
Tea leaves used to make Lapsang Souchong are plucked by hand and usually harvested in early May. The larger, older leaves chosen are coarser in texture and more suited to absorb the smokiness from the pine wood. The leaves are withered, either outside in the sun or in a heating room, laid out on bamboo matting placed on slatted racks, with pine wood fires burning beneath them. Next, a rolling process helps to release the oils in the leaves and starts the oxidation process. After several hours of oxidation, they are pan-fired and then rolled a second time to extract residual moisture. They are then dried in bamboo sieves over smouldering pine wood fires. Dried Lapsang Souchong tea leaves are quite large, dark, long and twisted, and glossy in appearance. There is less caffeine in this tea than most other black tea varieties. Although it is classed as a black tea, in China Lapsang Souchong is known as a red tea, because the liquor it produces when infused is amber red in colour.
More Information On Lapsang Souchong
Lapsang Souchong is actually the first black tea in history . The name tells about its location and the leaves used to make it.
It is based on an older method of transcribing Chinese sounds into the western alphabet. Using todays prefered method , the name of the tea would be spelled Zhèngshn Xiozhng.
Zhenshan is the area surrounding Tong Mu Guan village in the Wuyi region of Fujian province where the tea originates. Xiaozhong refers to the leaves on the plant that are used to make this tea. They are the larger and more mature leaves further down on the bush.
Generally the younger leaves are preferred, but the unique production method of Zhengshan Xiaozhong turns these otherwise undesirable leaves into something special.
Because the tea leaves are smoked instead of fried or steamed, this black tea variety has an entirely unique flavor. It resembles the flavor of dried longan. It is strong and smoky and remind of a campfire or a certain kind of pipe tobacco. Some drinkers note a hint of whiskey.
Processing
Growers actually stumbled on the processing method by accident in the 17th century and they use that same process today.
As mentioned above, the larger and more mature leaves are used for this tea. They are picked in the second week of May due to lower temperatures in this mountainous region.
The leaves are withered over a pinewood fire to soften them up. Once soft enough, they are rolled into tight strips.
History
Lapsang Souchong Black Tea
Product Description
From the Fujian province of China comes this very distinctive tea with its exotic smoky flavor. After plucking, the leaves are withered over cypress or pine wood fires. After the rolling process, they are placed into wooden barrels until they begin to emit their own pleasant aroma. As a final step they are placed in bamboo baskets and hung on racks over smoky pine fires where they dry and absorb the essence of the smoke.
The finished tea leaves are thick and black and when steeped in hot water produce a bright reddish-orange cup of tea. The flavor is very assertive and appeals to those looking for a bold cup of tea.
In recent years, Lapsang-Souchong has begun to grow in popularity and has become the favorite tea of many who also appreciate single-malt Scotch whisky and fine cigars. It was once known as a man’s tea but more and more women are drinking it as well.
Our Lapsang-Souchong tastes particularly good with salty and spicy dishes and also with cheese. Many tea lovers report that they enjoy drinking it outdoors, especially after any intense activity. You may also wish to try adding a pinch of Lapsang-Souchong to a cup of English Breakfast blend to add a whole new layer of flavor notes to savor.
Ingredients
3-5 minutes at 190-209 degrees Fahrenheit
Caffeinated
- 8 grams makes 3-4 cups
- 25 grams makes 10-15 cups
- 50 grams makes 20-25 cups
- 100 grams makes 45-50 cups
- 1 pound loose makes 180-200 cups
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About The Origins Of Lapsang Souchong
The origins of this tea date back to the Chinese Qing Dynasty in China and records of its use can be found starting from the 1700s.
Interestingly, its creation is thought to have been by accident.
As imperial forces were trying to bring Fujian under Manchu rule, the villagers attempted to hide the tea from the invading troops and they tried to prevent the tea leaves from rotting by burning pinewood from the neighboring forest.
Initially, they didnt particularly like the dark tea resulting from this process but later they offered it to Dutch traders who reacted very positively to this new beverage, which became known as Lapsang .
Vitamins And Minerals Found In Lapsang Souchong Tea
This tea is a great source of many vitamins and minerals that are associated with numerous beneficial properties:
Vitamin B2 – This vitamin helps our body break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. It plays a fundamental role in energy production.
Vitamin C – This is one of the most beneficial vitamins. It helps prevent iron deficiency, to manage high blood pressure. It is also used by many as an immunity booster. It is thought to protect our body against infections, reinforce our skin, and make wounds heal faster.
Vitamin E – This vitamin is also thought to have a role in strengthening our immune system, allowing it to fight off infections and illnesses more effectively.
Magnesium – This mineral has been linked to many proven health benefits, which include anti-inflammatory properties, fighting migraines, fighting depression, and lowering pressure.
Potassium – Another very important mineral for our body. It is associated with healthy bones and muscles and with improved cardiovascular health. A potassium deficiency has been associated with fatigue and weakness.
Zinc – This nutrient is essential for the functioning of our immune system and it is also important for our metabolism, for our digestive process, and for our nerve function.
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Our Special Edition Christmas Range Is Here
This festive range features all of our best selling teas, each one beautifully wrapped in its own Christmas packaging.
WHERE THERES SMOKE, THERES FLAVOUR
Lapsang Souchong is a black tea distinct from all others, traditionally smoke-dried over pinewood fires, for a distinctive smoky flavour. According to some, it is the first black tea in history, created during the Qing era, when the passage of armies delayed the annual drying of the tea leaves in the Wuyi Mountains. To satisfy demand, producers hastened the drying process by drying the leaves over fires made from local pines. This gave the less prized leaves a prized flavour. A win win situation, because Souchong refers to the fourth and fifth leaves of the tea plant, which are further away from the more highly prized bud and have fewer aromatic compounds. Finally roasted in a bamboo basket called a honglong, this also contributes to the aroma and smoky flavour. From the Wuyi region of Fujian Province, it is increasingly expensive as Wuyi is a small area and demand is growing for this flavoursome tea.
Smoke, woody with overtones of pine
Pure black tea
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Product Description
A large leaf China tea, Lapsang Souchong possesses a delightful smokey flavour, making it perfect for accompanying all Oriental meals. There are many varieties of Lapsang Souchong as the tea is made widely across China, however to appreciate the true taste of Lapsang its important to buy one of the better varieties. We only buy the best!
This is a smoked tea from Wuyi in Fujian Province in China. The leaf type is more similar to an oolong, and the Chinese have in the past, pre-Mandarin, referred to this leaf type as Bohea, which means from the Wuyi Mountains. Lapsang Souchong is smoked over pine wood fires, and the quality and cleanliness of the woods used can be discerned in this excellent example of this famous tea from China. Some people claim that this was the first ever black tea to be produced in China, even predating Keemun by some hundred years or so. The story goes that the tea was created during the Qing era when the passage of armies delayed the annual drying of the tea leaves in the Wuyi Mountain. Eager to satisfy demand, the tea producers sped up the drying process by having their workers dry the tea leaves over fires made from local pines.
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Why Does Lapsang Make The Perfect Cuppa
My version of the perfect cuppa Lapsang is an ideal balance of smoky, sweet, and creamy. Its my morning beverage, and I think its a great way to start the day.
The smokiness reminds me of the peat fires in Ireland and Scotland. As they have done for centuries, people in the Irish and Scottish countryside light the stoves and fireplaces with dried peat bricks or turf fires, as they call them.
The smell is sweet and distinctive. I have taken 5 or 6 golf holidays in these parts, typically in the autumn months. Check out my GolfToons website and blog. And I found this article about peat fuel and how they harvest it. Dont forget, October is National Fireplace Month!
There is nothing better than golfing on a seaside links course in the rain and wind and then walking into a pub for a pint and bowl of seafood chowder.
When I add the lapsang souchang tea leaves to the warm teapot, the aroma is fabulous and brings me back to golfing holidays. I cant wait to get back there. Anyway
Benefits Of Lapsang Souchong Tea
Lapsang Souchong Loose Leaf Tea goes further to provide myriad health benefits. The reason, for the most, is its wealth in vitamins, minerals and other antioxidants. These combined can do much from improving digestion to supporting immunity to boosting the skins vitality to promoting weight loss. What more could you want from your new favourite infusion?
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How To Make The Perfect Cuppa Lapsang
If you are wondering where to buy Lapsang Souchong tea, look no further than Local Tea Company. And, yes that is my Mote Sea Turtle Patrol shirt. Learn more at More about Mote.
Where Can I Buy Lapsang Souchong Tea
Lapsang Souchong can be found in many shops and online stores that sell herbal teas and beverages.
Our award-winning organic Lapsang Souchong tea is a brew of delicious flavours. It is a fully fermented Black Tea, which is smoked over pine wood to provide it with a woody, natural flavour.
It is certified organic, meaning its guaranteed to have grown on soils on which no prohibited substance was applied.
To prepare it use ½ tsp per mug of 100°C hot water, Infuse for two or three minutes, re-infuse up to 3 times and make 70-210 cups .
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Lapsang Souchong Smoky & Flavourful
Our Lapsang Souchong tea has a distinctive wood-smoke taste and aroma. This distinct smoky taste is created by carefully withering the leaves over smoking fragrant Chinese woods, then drying the tea in bamboo baskets over burning pine. Lapsang Souchong is definitely the Marmite of the tea world but love it or hate it you wont find anything else quite like it.
For happy campers or pyromaniacs, the wood-smoke aroma will evoke fond memories of sitting round a camp-fire altogether now, Ging Gang Gooly.
Plastic-free tea
We provide the highest quality ethically sourced teas from all over the world. What could possibly be better than that you may ask Well, our teas are 100% plastic free. From the bio-film we use to hold them, we also use biodegradable and compostable labels on our refills and sachets, so we have you covered to enjoy our tea responsibly. Because really, to enjoy natures wonders, we all need to take care of it.
By switching to loose leaf tea youre not only saving the planet from more packaging but youre getting a great cup of tea. If youre new to loose leaf tea, fear not. We have 100% plastic-free self-fill teabags with drawstrings for you to create your brew.
We think the best way to enjoy it is with an Infuser Mug or an Infuser Teapot like our colourful Eteaket teapots, . Other handy tools include the Perfect Tea Measure Spoon and a Tea Timer.
The Story Of Legendary Lapsang Souchong
Black tea is the most consumed tea among the Europeans and the Americans. To trace back to the history of black tea, we must start with the legendary Lapsang Souchong. Lapsang Souchong is revered as the ancestor of black tea and its producing region, Tongmu Guan in Wuyi Mountain, Fujian Province in Southeast China, was where black tea was born. During the 16th century, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty promoted the use of whole leaf tea instead of compressed tea. Tea processing skills at the time were still rather rudimentary and most teas produced were pan-fried green tea. The technique of oxidizing tea leaves was a result of serendipity. Legend has it that one spring day in the mid-1600s, a military troop passed by a tea farming village in Wuyi Mountain and decided to camp overnight at a tea farmers house. The tea farmer had finished his morning harvest of fresh tea leaves when the troop arrived. When he saw the soldiers, he got scared and ran to a nearby mountain. The next morning when the tea farmer returned to his house, he noticed his tea leaves had turned brown. Desperately trying to salvage the leaves, he pan-fried the leaves and then smoked them with pine wood to darken the color of the leaves. Little did he know that the smoked flavor would become the most beloved tea in Europe.
A cup of Lapsang Souchong does not only possess a one-of-a-kind flavor, it embodies centuries of history, tradition, and dedication to tea making.
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What Is Lapsang Souchong Tea
This is a Smoked Black Tea from China. Its unique characteristics are the product of workers drying the leaves over pinewood fires. The practise dates back to the Qing Dynasty , a time of great upheaval in the country when bandits roamed freely. According to legend, a group of farmers, harassed by marauders, decided to hastily ready their Tea crop by smoking it before heading off to market.
They expected little from their endeavours, believing that they had ruined their produce. What they had done, in fact, was to create the first type of Black Tea by pure accident. Its popularity spread soon after – or so the tale goes. There are even reports that British Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill , enjoyed a cup of Lapsang Tea with his cigars. But what does Lapsang Souchong taste like?
What Does Lapsang Souchong Taste Like Bold Smoky & Completely Unique
Lapsang souchong is unlike any other type of tea. It is a common misunderstanding to expect lapsang souchong to taste like a standard black tea. Some people assume this because both lapsang souchong and black tea come from the Camellia sinensis shrub. However, this is untrue!
Due to the unique oxidation process, lapsang souchong has a sweet, refreshing, yet smoky flavor unique to this tea. Its imbued with the flavor of pine resin, since pine needles and pine wood are burned to smoke and dry the tea during the process of crafting lapsang souchong.
When brewed properly, it will have a coppery-golden color in your cup, and an appealing, smoky scent. You can enjoy lapsang souchong on its own, or with the addition of your favorite sweetener such as sugar or honey, and milk like almond milk, soy milk, dairy milk, or coconut milk theres no wrong way to drink it!
In fact, some lapsang souchong enthusiasts swear by using maple syrup to sweeten their tea! The natural caramel and vanilla notes in natural maple syrup make it a great compliment to the smoky, piney flavor of the tea.
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Lapsang Souchong 50 Tea Bags
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What does it taste like? Deeply mellow with delicious smoky tones.Where does it come from? Tea is produced a little differently in the Fujian province of China. Following an age old method, the tea leaves are laid in bamboo baskets and dried over glowing pinewood embers. This imparts the wonderful smoky flavour our Lapsang Souchong is renowned for.What makes this tea different? There isn’t a scent or flavour more distinctive than Lapsang Souchong. It’s all down to the pinewood smoke that permeates the tea leaves when they’re being dried. Blended and packed in Hampshire.Due to high demand, this product is limited to 21 units per customer, per day.