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“Got this sample at Red Blossom when I was in town earlier this month. I am a massive smoky tea fan, just add lapsang to any tea blend and I appear from the mist to get my hands on it. (or should I...” Read full tasting note
“Blend review: This Lapsang Souchong and Red Blossom’s Organic Celadon Pearl. OK folks, I’ve done it. I’ve found the ultimate tea blend. 2.5-3(ish) tablespoons of Red Blossom’s Organic Celadon...” Read full tasting note
Lapsangsouchong originated during the tumult of the Taiping Rebellion, a civil war that waged through southern China from 1850 to 1864. While in the Wuyi Mountains, Taiping soldiers used bags of maocha, or unfinished tea, as resting cushions. Their weight crushed and damaged the leaves, encouraging the oxidation that transformed the leaves into a black tea. In an effort to stop the oxidation, the leaves were pan roasted and smoked with pine needles – imparting the unique smokiness for which this tea is known.
“Lapsang” is a reference to the Wuyi Mountains in Fujian. “Souchong” means “small leaf variety”, a cultivar related to Wuyi Yancha oolongs.
Rich and robust, with a distinct smoky aroma, and mild sweetness in a rich red liquor.
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Got this sample at Red Blossom when I was in town earlier this month. I am a massive smoky tea fan, just add lapsang to any tea blend and I appear from the mist to get my hands on it. (or should I say smoke?) I ‘m very excited to try this one, my tea cupboard feels off when there’s no lapsang in it. I technically have a Joseph Wesley LS, but it’s not the smoky kind. Don’t get me wrong, I love that tea, but it’s no campfire daydream. I brewed this western style, and felt such a rush of relief upon first whiff – I had found the LS i was missing in my life! The luscious pine smokiness blended with the robust black tea effortlessly. It’s like standing in front of a bonfire wrapped in a blanket. I wanted to see if this tea was not too harshly smoked for some blends i wanted to add it to. And lo, I immediately added some WP Golden Orchid to my teapot after the first sip. When digging in my old Steepster notes, I was last on the hunt for a good smoked vanilla black tea. Now I’m sipping on some velvety, chocolatey, smoked vanilla goodness. It is said that good things come to those who wait, and this forgotten itch has been very thoroughly scratched.
Flavors: Campfire, Leather, Malt, Pine, Smoke, Wood
Blend review: This Lapsang Souchong and Red Blossom’s Organic Celadon Pearl.
OK folks, I’ve done it. I’ve found the ultimate tea blend.
2.5-3(ish) tablespoons of Red Blossom’s Organic Celadon Pearl Green Tea, and <1 teaspoon (no more than that!) of Red Blossom’s Lapsang Souchong Black Tea. I wanted to add a bit of interesting to the Celadon, and this Lapsang, in all it’s uber campfire smoke deepness, is the perfect candidate.
Tip: When blending multiple types of tea, keep the steeping time in line with whatever the lower count is. For example, blending a green tea (45 seconds recommended) and a black tea (1-2 minutes recommended), go with the lower time of 45 seconds. You will still get plenty of the stronger tea in there without ruining the lighter tea and making a mess of it.
This Celadon Pearl is a great green tea to use as a base with its wonderful grassy, earthy taste and feel, with a clean, crisp, dry finish. It really is deep and complex, at times I get an ocean breeze aroma. Add just a touch of the Lapsang Souchong. No really, just a touch. I used less than 1 teaspoon. The is an incredible strong and potent tea, any more than that and the campfire smoke will take over everything.
Just a touch, and you have a great blend. The color is a nice dark, clear yellow, almost orange. Every aroma, taste, and feel of the Celadon Pearl is allowed to shine through, and the Lapsang adds a wonderful bit of dark punch, just a hint of that campfire smoke it’s known for. This blend screams fall, and with that upon us, it’s time!
I’m still new to blends, and I have a lot to learn, but this will be one I will come back to from time to time.
-E
Interesting, I never would have thought to mix a Lapsang and a green tea. What else have you mixed LS with?
It’s good, just a bit on the bitter side. Only use a little bit of Lapsang, it’s so strong you don’t want it to take over.
I’ve also tried this Lapsang with Red Blossom’s Organic Shou Mei white. Also great.
