Heritage Edition Lapsang Souchong
Black Tea by Imperial Tea Court
A traditional twist on a Western favorite: the black tea zheng shan xiao zhong (known in the West as lapsang souchong) comes from Fujian province’s Wu Yi mountains, the same origin as the great yan cha oolongs. While Western tea drinkers associate this tea with the taste of tarry pine smoke favored for export production, the Chinese original wasn’t smoky – and we’ve gotten our hands on a heritage edition where the focus is on the tea’s cocoa-like notes. Hints of fruit emerge as the infusion cools. With the smoke removed a subtle palate can also detect the distinctive yan yun, or rock character, that zheng shan xiao zhong shares with yan cha. Flavorful, accessible, and a great companion for hearty winter food, this tea will redefine your assumptions about lapsang souchong.
