Each month we will be exploring a new tea from our extensive range. This month we are talking about Lapsang Souchong.

Few people know that Lapsang Souchong was the original black tea. Created in the famous tea growing area of Fujian, China around 300 years ago. “Lapsang” meaning smoked and “souchong” refers to the leaves that are used to make this tea, usually large and robust to stand up to the smoky flavour.

There are many stories of how this tea came to exist (as there often are with teas from China), one story tells of a poor farmer who was being extorted by bandits. To scare him they set fire to his barn where he was storing his tea. The tea was salvaged but the farmer was distraught that the smoke had ruined the tea. Before he threw it in the bin he forced himself to try it, to his surprise he discovered a deliciously smoky and complex brew. He was able to sell it for double the normal price and his problems were solved, and so the tradition of smoking tea began.

Lapsang Souchong is made by smoking the tea over pine wood, the leaves naturally absorb the smoky pine resin flavour. The process has been honed over many generations, and the tea bushes in this part of China have been cultivated to become better suited for making this tea.

It is now one of the most famous teas in the world, and was reportedly a favourite of Winston Churchill. Some people suggest that he enjoyed it so much because of its similarity to his beloved cigars. Its aroma isn’t too far off a cigar, but its flavour is sweet and smooth. The idea of smoky tea doesn’t appeal to everyone, but to those it does, this is a supremely comforting and robust brew.

Our Lapsang Souchong is a deep chocolate colour cup, with a strong smoky pine sap aroma. The flavour is smooth and warm, and a particularly long and warming finish that will make you glow from the inside out. This tea pairs perfectly with smoked food such as bacon or smoked salmon, making this the ultimate brunch tea. It is also an incredibly autumnal tea, as the smoky aroma is reminiscent of bonfires in the crisp autumn air.

Lapsang Souchong