China Lapsang Souchong Tea - Loose Leaf

The Lapsang Souchong China Tea blend from English Tea Store is a smooth crisp character with the remarkable heady aroma of a pine and oak wood fire.

This tea originates from the Fujian province. The Fukienese word 'souchong' means sub variety - that is a sub variety of other black teas from the Wuyi mountains of Fujian. When Lapsang Souchong was first exported to western European countries and became famous on the international markets - it was no doubt due to the distinct aroma and flavor. Interestingly, the best Lapsang is produced in the nature preserve located in the Wuyi mountains where the high mountains with thick pine forests and heavy mist provide the ideal environment for growing top quality tea.

Legend claims that the smoking process was discovered by accident. During the Qing dynasty, an army unit passing through Xingcun (Star Village) camped in a tea factory filled with fresh leaves awaiting processing. When the soldiers left and the workers could get back into the premises, they realized that to arrive at market in time, it was too late to dry the leaves in the usual way. So they lit open fires of pine wood to hasten the drying. Not only did the tea reach the market in time, but the smoked pine flavor created a sensation.

The method of production is as follows: The leaves are first withered over fires of pine or cypress wood. After pan-frying and rolling, they are pressed into wooden barrels and covered with cloth to ferment until they give off a pleasant fragrance. The leaves are fired again and rolled into taut strips. Then they are placed in bamboo baskets and hung on wooden racks over smoking pine fires to dry and absorb the smoke flavor. When finished they are thick, glossy black strip, and produce a dark red beverage with a unique aroma and taste.

The Lapsang Souchong tea is generally consumed with sugar or milk. But, depending upon one's palate, the taste can be light and intriguing or it can be heavy and overpowering. Lapsang Souchong is best described as an acquired taste.

Lapsang's smoky flavor may also be used to add a distinctive tang to a variety of savory culinary creations. For example, when added to mayonnaise Lapsang Souchong gives an appropriate flavor for a smoked turkey sandwich. Lapsang Souchong imparts a smoky flavor to oven roasted meat even when the oven is kept at a temperature low enough to achieve a tender roast.

How to Make Tea

Available in 4 sizes (Please select from the options above):

• First time trying English Tea Store's China Lapsang Souchong Loose Leaf Tea?

  Try our Sample Size of 1 ounce.
• Contents loose leaf tea net weight 4 ounces
• Contents loose leaf tea net weight 16 ounces (1 pound)
• Contents loose leaf tea net weight 80 ounces (5 pound)

China Lapsang Souchong Tea is gluten free, as well as nuts, wheat, crustacea, eggs, milk/dairy, sulfites, and soy lecithin free. This tea is packed at a factory that has nuts on the premises.

Caffeine content: Medium - This tea contains natural caffeine found in the L. Camellia Sinensis family. A cup of black tea steeped in boiled water for 5 minutes will contain between 27 to 35 milligrams of caffeine. An equal sized cup of coffee will contain between 80 - 100 milligrams of caffeine. Caffeine quickly becomes soluble in very hot water. If you wish to reduce the caffeine level in this tea, briefly rinsing the tea leaves in extremely hot water will reduce the caffeine content between 25-50% with only a minor effect on taste.

Antioxidant Content: Low - The longer you steep your tea the more polyphenols will be extracted. (Test results based on 5 minutes steeping time. Polyphenol percentages may fluctuate with lot, grade of tea, testing method, temperature of water and freshness of tea). More antioxidants are extracted from tea (L. Camellia Sinesis) the longer it is brewed. And the more tea is used, the greater the antioxidant benefit.

Nutritional Information: Amount per Serving; Serving size 2.5 grams of loose tea. Makes 8 fluid ounces or 240 milliliters.

• Calories: 0
Percent of Daily Value
• Fat: 0 grams, 0 %
• Sodium: 2 milligrams, 0 %
• Carbohydrate: 1 grams, 0%
• Protein: 0.1 grams
• Not a significant source of fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, dietary fiber, sugars, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron



Catch a review of our Lapsang Souchong on the English Tea Blog.