Steepster Score 1 Rating Rate This Tea

80/100

Russian Caravan

Black Tea by New Mexico Tea Company

A classic smoked black tea, made with a blend of lapsang souchong and other black teas. Russian Caravan is not actually from Russia, however it was made popular along the trade route from China to Russia.

The Lapsang Souchong in the blend gives the hint of mystery. In the days of the camel trains across Asia this mysterious character was absorbed on the trail from evening campfires or from the camels themselves. Imagine for a moment the starry nights on the plains of Asia enroute with your precious cargo of tea to the opulent courts of St. Petersburg. You are hunkering down under your blanket and sipping tea fit for a king while trying to ward off the cold bite in the night air.

During the Czar’s time tea was the most important drink after vodka. In fact, even today the tradition continues as Russia and the CIS are major consumers of tea in world terms. Their tastes have changed over the years but light bright flavorful teas are still in high demand in Russia. Quite often the tea is thrown into a pot and allowed to simmer and steep all day; evidence of this custom can be seen in the Russian samovar – the ideal means of serving tea Russian style. This is one reason you need a light liquoring tea with flavor to be considered for Russian Caravan Tea.

This tea is not for everyone, but those who have found a love for it will accept no substitute. It is also lower in caffeine then other black teas.