Lapsang Souchong is a small leaf cultivar, smoked by pine wood. These leaves are plucked from the lower part of the tea plant where the leaves are bigger. After the leaves are plucked, they are put on a iron pan to roast, then they are smoked over pine wood rich with resin. According to history, the drying of the leaves over a pine fire was done by accident in order to hurry the drying process. The “ruined” tea was then sold to the Dutch who sang its praises and requested more.

What the Dutch discovered was a tea with a rich smokiness, a hint of sweet pine, and a malty aftertaste.