Lapsang Souchong (loose leaf)

You guys are such prolific writers (and tea drinkers) I’m having trouble keeping up!

Anyway, I keep hearing about Lapsang Souchong but have never tried it myself, so when I saw a box of these teabags at the supermarket, I had to get it! I wonder, though, if I should be creating a new entry for the teabag version instead of adding this note under the loose leaf one …

To sidetrack a bit, teabags are such convenient little packets for lazy bums like me. I’ve got some loose leaf Maloom and Okayti sitting around untouched for a whole week but I tore straight into my new Lapsang Souchong purchase instead, because all I had to do was throw a teabag into a cup of hot water. It’s less troublesome than yanno, actually brewing tea. xD

So my first impressions are: wow, this is very smoky indeed! I’m drinking it plain at the moment and I think it tastes rather earthy, like Pu’er, only slightly sharper/more acidic(?). Also, is it just me, or does this tea dry your throat up? The smokiness isn’t for everyone, but I like it even though it made me sneeze and gives me smoky breath. LOL. ♥

As a longtime fan of Lapsang Souchong, I know that people either love it or hate it. For those who’ve never had it before and are interested in trying it, Twinings provides a budget-friendly Lapsang that showcases its essential flavours — the distinctive smoky scent and the earthy taste (like a single-malt whiskey). A suitable introduction to this unique tea.

I have a major weakness for lapsang souchong. And the Twinings one, while maybe arguably not the best I ever had, is a rather canonical LS, and a comfort tea for me. Yes, it is smoky, but from somebody who hates cigarette smoke, it´s a very different type of smoke.

From experience, I do not think this is too high in caffeine.

From experience as well, and I know this is so heretical, i think I prefer the Twinings tea bags for this over the loose leaf. Perhaps I undermeasure, or the loose leaf has aged too much, or the contents of the british-market teabags are better than the continental tin caddy, but this is one of those instances I think the teabags (the black british no-string teabags) do taste more and better than the loose leaf.

Lapsang Souchong has an incredibly calming and intricate taste. Its strong, robust character reflects against its deep, relaxing smokiness. Twining’s decent Lapsang Souchong calls for a shorter steeping time than most Lapsang souchong because Twining’s tea can occasionally be somewhat bitter. Either way it’s without a doubt worth drinking. A rolling boil adds to the smokiness of the tea.

Smoky and astringent. I felt my sinuses opening just smelling the stuff after I’d brewed it. I may have to try it again to give a full opinion, but this was one of the few times where I’ve almost completely hated something on first smell. Hot liniments, Vicks VapoRub, and sickness. Eeee.

Been forever, past year was a tad crazy…
I tried the bagged version of this at a coffee and tea shop for free coffee/tea day. I didn’t really examine the package, but noted it’s by Twinings, and as soon as I opened it up, the smokey smell hit me. Wasn’t expecting that.
So I don’t know what I think of it. The black tea itself is decent. It’s quite potently smokey, even in its aftertaste. I’m not sure I want to taste anything smoked after the fact—makes me think I ate some kind of smoked meat. Will I drink it again? I don’t know. Most likely I’ll stick to Earl Grey, chai, and my other usual favorites.
I am planning on converting to loose leaf teas, but I need to finish up all my bagged teas, and I need to find my infusers!

I love this on a wet cold day with just a teensy bit sugar and milk

This was my first time drinking Lapsang Souchong. I saw a box a the supermarket so had to pick it up. I didn’t know what to expect so the smokey flavor threw me for awhile. Half a box later and I’m a huge fan. I like to pull this out in the fall when it starts cooling off, it definitely isn’t one I’d drink every day, but it never fails to remind me of the way my house smelled when I was a kid [we had a wood stove in the kitchen that heated the house].

My first try of this kind of tea, they say you either hate it or love it. I love it. The smoky flavor mellows when you brew it. It stays with you after you drink it, the aroma sticking around in you nose. Very smooth finish, which from what I’ve read makes a difference in these teas. If you smoke cigars, you will probably love this tea.

Twinings has such good teas, including Lapsang.
It has such an strong smell, its one of the strongest teas i enjoy. Its really wonderful and it would be a pitty if you miss out on this very intense yet interesting tea

A lot more mellow than other Lapsangs I’ve had, but not bad at all. Its assam-like first taste is appreciated, as is the rich smokiness that neither overwhelms nor disappoints. Vaguely sweet, caramel finish leaves a warm aftertaste that lingers long after the cup is empty.

I love this tea. The wonderful aroma mixed with the smokey flavour is divine, and especially so with Gold Top milk.

One of the first teas I had ever tasted. Still one of my favorites. The smoky aroma when you open the lid is unbelievable, its definitely one of those “taste preference” types of things which is why I believe this tea has gotten bad reviews. Its definitely not the best quality, I have tried several others since, but I keep coming back to this one. Its definitely more smoky and a cup is so calming and relaxing. Try it with and without milk.

This tea is good with milk in the morning on a cold day. I would keep the tea bags separate from the other teas or else they will pick up the “smoky” smell.

I was immediately hit by the smoky aroma, but further investigation also reveals a peachy smell too. Taste wise it is unlike anything else, without milk it’s quite fruity, with milk, it’s a smooth, smoky liquor. However it isn’t long before the smoky aftertaste hits, and that is where this love/hate thing comes in. For me, I did not enjoy the smokyness, others love it and I can understand the appeal, especially during the colder winter months or following a big meal. For me however, I wasn’t a fan, but will rate this on tea quality and the tasting experience, not just on personal preference, so I conclude with the thought that every tea drinker must try this at least once, it truly is unlike anything else, I’ve tasted before.

Lapsang Souchong is my favorite kind of tea, hands down; I’ve loved it since my dad tried to scare me with it when I was a kid (“IT’S TOO STRONG FOR YOU, I GUARANTEE IT”) and I forced myself to get a taste for it out of sheer determination. I have the Twinings tea bags, not the loose leaf, and I was really pleasantly surprised! I’ve never had bagged Lapsang before, but I really enjoy this. It’s a bit mellower than what I’m used to, but the distinctive smoky flavor is still present, and very smooth and enjoyable. I like my Lapsang stronger than most, but if I wanted to introduce someone to this awesome tea without scaring them off (as my dad tried to do to me), this would be the perfect tea with which to do that.

If you’re quitting smoking or miss summer bonfires, this might be your tea. It was very smooth and smokey. Pretty much gave me cottonmouth after the first couple sips, which then led me to drink more of this tea and repeat the cycle. Needless to say, I felt like I was drinking a campfire.

Full review here: http://theteablag.blogspot.com/2011/01/sconnie-land-and-its-chinese-girl.html

Just tried this for the first time tonight. I really love the smokey flavor but I think I steeped for too long. It got pretty sharp and made my head hurt. But it was worth it. So next time, shorter steeping time.

One of the smokier Lapsang Souchongs I’ve tried. I liked it. I first got into this tea because it seem strong, and manly, to a guy who used to drink a lot of coffee. If there was a tea that could grunt, this would be it.

The longer you steep it, the more the smokiness overpowers the tea.

Not the best out there, and I like their Irish Breakfast a lot more. But, for the price and availability, it’s a good find for Lapsang souchong.

Have been drinking this tea for 28 years. Good on a cold day when I want to relax with a cup of strong tea.