Lapsang Souchong

Lapsang Souchong is a small leaf cultivar that has been smoked by pine wood. These leaves are plucked from the lower part of the tea plant for a deeper and more mature flavor. After the leaves are plucked, they are roasted on an iron pan, then smoked over pinewood 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 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.