商品系列: Lapsang Souchong

Lapsang Souchong: The Ancestor of Black Tea, A Smoky Legend

—Tasting Guide & Flavor Profile

I. Origins of Lapsang Souchong

Lapsang Souchong, the world’s first black tea, was born in Tongmu Guan, Wuyi Mountain, Fujian, China. The name "Lapsang" (正山) refers to its authentic origin, while "Souchong" (小种) denotes the small-leaf tea variety. Discovered in the 16th century, its signature smoky flavor—a result of accidental pinewood smoking—made it legendary. It even inspired blends like Earl Grey in the West.

II. Key Characteristics

1.          The Art of Smoke
Traditionally smoked over pinewood, it delivers rich aromas of resin, dried longan, and a lingering smoky sweetness. Modern "unsmoked" versions highlight floral and honeyed notes.

2.          Terroir of Tongmu Guan
High-altitude mist and fertile soil give the tea a robust body with wild, mineral undertones.

3.          Amber Liquor
Premium Lapsang Souchong brews a clear, reddish-orange infusion with a golden halo and coppery-soft spent leaves.

III. Tasting Guide

1. Observe

l   Dry Leaves: Tight, dark strands with golden tips; smoky versions emit a pine-char aroma.

l   Liquor: Deep amber (smoked) or bright orange (unsmoked), luminous like gemstone.

2. Inhale the Aroma

l   Smoked: Layers of pine smoke, dried fruit, and honey; aged versions develop plum-like notes.

l   Unsmoked: Floral (orchid, osmanthus), fruity (lychee, longan), and honeyed sweetness.

3. Savor the Taste

l   Smoked: Silky texture with a deep, smoky complexity; sweet aftertaste.

l   Unsmoked: Crisp, refreshing, with a cooling finish.

l   Lingering Fragrance: Pine resin or stone fruit echoes in the empty cup.

4. Examine the Leaves

l   Resilient, coppery-brown, and evenly textured.

IV. Brewing Tips

l   Teaware: Yixing clay (enhances smoke) or porcelain gaiwan (preserves purity).

l   Water Temp: 90-95°C (avoid boiling to protect delicate leaves).

l   Dosage: 5g tea / 120ml water.

l   Steeping: 5s first infusion, gradually increasing; yields 8-10 brews.

V. Pairing & Aging

l   Serving: Best neat, but also superb with milk (as in classic British style).

l   Pairings: Dark chocolate, smoked cheese, nuts—complements its bold profile.

l   Storage: Airtight, away from light; smoked varieties mellow with age.

Lapsang Souchong is poetry in smoke and time, a living fossil of tea history.
Sip slowly, and let its pine-kissed depths transport you to the misty peaks of Wuyi.