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Lapsang Souchong is a Chinese black tea with a unique smoky flavor, made by wilting and fermenting the leaves over open fires. It has ancient origins and is known as the original Russian caravan. Loose leaves are preferred, and high-quality leaves can be aged for an even richer flavor.
Lapsang Souchong is a variety of Chinese tea that is very popular in southern China and some other parts of the world. Tea drinkers have a love/hate relationship with it, thanks to the very strong and highly distinctive flavor. A cup of lapsang souchong is certainly rarely forgotten, whether or not you find it enjoyable. Many markets and tea shops sell an assortment of lapsang souchong in loose and bagged styles, with loose leaves generally preferable as they are often of higher quality.
Like all black teas, lapsang souchong is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. It is the manipulation of the tea leaves that determines the final flavour, and in the case of lapsang souchong, this manipulation is very unique. First, the tea leaves are lightly wilted over open fires. Afterwards, they are allowed to ferment lightly in large barrels, before being dried all the way through in large openwork baskets, again over open fires.
The result of this complex curing process is a very rich and smoky variety of tea. Many people describe the flavor as full and warm, very suitable for cool days. In addition to having a smoky flavor, lapsang souchong also has a very strong smoky smell that is instantly recognizable to people familiar with the tea. Since lapsang souchong means “smoked tea” in Cantonese, this is hardly surprising.
The origins of lapsang souchong are quite ancient. Tea originated in Fujian province along the southeast coast of China. According to popular mythology, tea was invented when a band of soldiers disturbed operations at a tea company. Concerned that the tea leaves might rot, employees quickly roasted them over open fires to dry, creating the first smoked tea. Another story suggests that the tea was developed by accident, when traders threw tea packets too close to the fire, resulting in completely smoked tea at the other end of the trade route.
This distinctive smoked tea is the original Russian caravan, first brought overland for trade with the Russians around the 19th century. True lapsang souchong tends to be a little stronger than the Russian trailer and, when made from high-quality leaves, is quite a collector’s item. Some tea collectors also like to age their lapsang sip for an even richer flavor that borders on creamy when well brewed.
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