Lapsang Souchong was the first black tea to be produced in China, during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911.) It can be an acquired taste. Either you love it or you hate it.  I was one of those who hated it. When my supplier told me he was sending me a sample of Lapsang Souchong, I told him not to bother because I didn’t like it. He sent it anyways and, as he predicted, I loved it! His explanation is that I had never tried an authentic, good quality Lapsang. This one could easily end up being one of my favorite teas!

Our Premium Lapsang Souchong Tongmu is from the Guadun, Tongmu Guan, and was made by one of the historic, genuine Lapsang manufacturers using the traditional drying process of smoldering pine fire instead of adding flavors commonly found in most Lapsang Souchong of lesser quality. The result is a superb tea with a pronounced dried longan aroma and a smooth finish. The smokiness is evident but not overpowering so that the natural sweetness of the tea is accentuated followed by a slight tingling sensation in the throat. We’ve been told by experts that a good Lapsang Souchong such as this is best partnered with a single malt scotch whiskey! Take a sip of whiskey followed by a cup of hot Lapsang Souchong. It is the perfect match that will keep you coming back for more.

Lapsang Souchong, a member of the Wuyi Bohea family, specifically the Wuyi Caicha Cultivar, is a black tea from the Wuyi region of China’s Fujian Province. The Fukienese word 'souchong' literally means 'little variety' or subvariety. Lapsang is distinct from all other kinds of tea because the leaves are traditionally smoke-dried over pinewood fires, taking on a distinctive smoky flavor. It is said that the tea was created during the Qing era when the passage of armies delayed the annual drying of the tea leaves in the Wuyi hills. Eager to satisfy demand, the tea producers sped up the drying process by having their workers dry the tea leaves over fires made from local pines. In order to be considered an authentic Lapsang Souchong, it must come from the Tongmu Guan which was the birthplace of Lapsang Souchong. Tongmu Guan is a national nature reserve in the Wuyi Mountains and is considered by Chinese tea experts as being the core Lapsang Souchong tea producing area. The tea bushes are grown in a semi-wild environment, at an altitude of more than 1000 meters.