Lapsang Souchong Tea Introduction

If you are a tea lover, you must be a fan of black tea. It is one of the most popular tea varieties that has a rich history and taste. But did you know that there are many different black teas that you can try and all of them are very distinct and special in their own way? One of those black teas is Lapsang Souchong and you should definitely try it.

Lapsang Souchong (also known as pinyin zhèngshān xiǎozhǒng or smoked tea) is a black tea that originated from the Mount Wuiy region in China. Unlike other teas, lapsang is dried using smoke from pinewood fire, which gives it a really distinct and smoky flavor. The name of this tea also carries a meaning and describes the tea pretty well. Lapsang refers to the area in the Fujian province where this black tea first came about and Souchong refers to the type of tea leaves that are used. Most teas either use the tea buds or the first or second leaves of the tea, but this is where Lapsang Souchong is different. Fourth and even fifth tea leaves are used to make this black tea which means it has a unique flavor because the older and bigger the leaves get, the more their flavor changes.

Tea Details

Taste and Smell Profile

• Flavor: Pine smoke, whiskey, and dried longan
• Color: Rich red / copper
• Smell: Smoky

Lapsang Souchong Tea Profile

• Before Brewing: Black and smooth, leaf is hard
• After Brewing: Leaf becomes soft and bright

About AiryTea Traditional Lapsang Souchong Tea Package

• Tea Type: Lapsang Souchong Tea
• Weight: 70g
• Shelf Life: 18 months

• Tea Storage Recommendation: Store it in a cool and dry place away from sunlight.

History of Lapsang Souchong Tea

Like all Chinese teas, this black tea has a long and interesting history. Knowing the origin of the tea that you consume adds another layer of enjoyment during tea drinking. There are a couple of different stories that tell us how the Lapsang Souchong tea came about, one even states that this was the first black tea ever made, but the following one seems to be the most widespread and accepted. The story begins in the Mount Wuiy region in China, during the Qing era. This is the dynasty that ruled China all the way from 17th to 20th century. The Wuiy area was known for the production of delicious oolong time, but one time an army that was passing by delayed the production of oolong tea. The farmers didn’t want to lose their valuable crop and not produce any tea so they thought of an ingenious way to make the production faster.

The Chinese tea farmers needed a way to quickly dry the tea leaves so they set up a pinewood fire and laid the leaves down. The result was amazing because the tea leaves picked up the smoky flavor from the fire which completely changed the taste of the tea because most other tea varieties are air dried. And that is how the first Lapsang Souchong tea was made. This new tea was well received in the region and quickly became quite popular. Soon, other tea farmers started to replicate the process and the taste of this unique tea.

The Production Process

Nowadays, the production of traditional Lapsang Souchong tea is quite similar to the original one. The mature fourth or fifth tea leaves are harvested in May and are set out to dry over a pinewood fire. The withered leaves are then rolled and allowed to ferment. While other black teas are then dried again, Lapsang Souchong is fried which brings the fermentation process to a full stop. This process makes the flavor even stronger and more distinct. The leaves are rolled and dried once more over the pinewood fire and that’s what completes the production process. Now, this special tea can be transported all over the world for the people to enjoy.

Lapsang Souchong Tea Features

With its copper red color and distinctive smoky and slightly woody aroma, traditional Lapsang Souchong tea has quickly become very popular in the West and many tea lovers list it as one of their favorite teas ever. Our organic, traditionally made lapsang tea will give you the original flavor of this black tea, just like it was centuries ago. The brewing process is quite simple and your aromatic cup of tea will be ready in no time! Another reason why this black tea is still immensely popular is because of its caffeine content. It is a great beverage for anyone who wants to quit coffee or overly caffeinated drinks.

The great thing about traditional lapsang tea is that you can control the caffeine content yourself so it is suited for people that like that energy and buzz as well as for those who want to reduce their caffeine intake. If you brew traditional Souchong tea in very hot water for a longer period of time, more caffeine will be released into your cup and you will get that burst of energy. However, if you brew the tea for a shorter amount of time, there will only be traces of caffeine. Not many teas have such amazing versatility.

Health Benefits of Traditional Organic Lapsang Souchong Tea

All black tea varieties are immensely good for your health and that includes traditional Lapsang Souchong Tea. If you need that energy boost in the morning, drinking a cup of this black tea is a great choice. And the great thing is you will be more focused and alert, but this is not the tea that will keep you up at night or make you crave more caffeine. If you are concerned about your heart health, lapsang is a great natural remedy that protects against cardiovascular disease.

It also lowers your blood pressure, so if you suffer from hypertension you might want to think about including Souchong tea in your diet. in order to get all of the amazing benefits of traditional Lapsang Souchong tea, we recommend that you buy only organic tea because it is the healthiest and most potent one.

How To Brew Black Tea?

How do you make the best tasting tea?

- Bring water to near boiling point, around 190 – 210* F (87 – 98* Celsius). Doing so will release all the right flavors without making the tea too bitter.

- Pour the water into a cup or tea pot. Add 2 to 3 grams of tea leaves per 6 ounces of water. Add more if you enjoy drinking really strong tea.

- After you have heated the water and added the tea leaves, let it sit in the cup / tea pot for 60 seconds, then taste every 30 seconds until you find your perfect brewing point.

- If you want stronger tea, add more leaves instead of letting them sit there for a longer period of time, this will ensure that the tea is not too bitter.

- Add a slice of lemon if needed.

Black Tea Shipping Times

We are proud to offer two great shipping methods that will suit everyone’s needs.

Flat Rate Shipping

- Great for people who are not in a hurry and want to save on even more for black tea. This method will take around 10 to 30 days to arrive.

Express Shipping

- For everyone who wants to try our black tea as soon as possible, pick this method and get your tea in just 1 to 5 business days.

Please note: this excludes handling time, which is usually less than 24 hours. However, if there are certain situations beyond our control (such as the post office being closed) it may take up to 72 hours for your package to be shipped.

Return Policy

If you have changed your mind regarding the tea, you can return the unopened package to us and we will be more than happy to give you a refund. Please contact us (with your order number) to proceed with the request.