While Chinese black tea enthusiasts know and appreciate it, many people wonder what Lapsang Souchong is and what its flavor characteristics are. Traditionally, this type of black tea, once harvested, is smoked over a pine wood fire, giving it a very distinctive woody and smoky flavor. The flavors of the black tea leaf are, in fact, secondary in Lapsang Souchong, while the strongest notes are smoky woody ones, with hints of grilled meat, tobacco, and pine resin. There are also hints of natural sweetness, which lie beneath the smoke, creating a pleasant contrast; these sweet nuances can be enhanced with a little honey, which balances the intense smoky flavor.
The aroma of Lapsang Souchong, reminiscent of pine and burnt sugar, is perfect in winter to combat the cold. It is considered a non-astringent tea, with very little bitterness, and very bold. It's enjoyed for breakfast or a savory brunch by those who appreciate its unique flavor. Once served, this tea has a particularly seductive reddish color for an oriental teatime experience.
Lapsang Souchong pairings and recipes
Furthermore, this smoked black tea can be paired with soups and cream soups, white fish, salmon, and grilled meats, sweet side dishes or roasted vegetables, chocolate desserts, and buttered tarts. For those who prefer the flavors of Asian cuisine, it's a delicious tea with risotto. In cooking, Lapsang Souchong smoked black tea is used as an ingredient in recipes. For flavoring syrup recipes, marinades for grilling or roasting meats, vegetables, and potatoes, cheese fondues, sauces, to flavor rice cooking water, and in many creative specialties.
Lapsang Souchong Black Tea Properties and Benefits
Like other black teas, Lapsang Souchong possesses the beneficial properties of this beverage, particularly its antioxidant content:
Consuming black tea can have a positive effect on digestion, promoting intestinal transit. In particular, its polyphenols facilitate the growth of good bacteria in the intestine. Caffeine has a mild laxative effect, while its diuretic properties facilitate the drainage of body fluids against bloating and water retention. For weight management, black tea helps stimulate the metabolism and facilitates fat burning during physical activity. By combining a healthy diet, exercise, and beverages like black tea, you can combine factors that are beneficial for maintaining a balanced body weight.
The term Souchong refers to the lower leaves of the tea plant, known for their low theine (caffeine) content.
While these were traditionally the tea leaves used in Lapsang Souchong, today cultivation and harvesting are different (younger shoots), and the caffeine content in smoked tea can vary. In any case, Lapsang Souchong has a balance that stimulates attention and concentration, providing energy without the exciting and stressful effect of coffee. It works as a tonic against physical and mental fatigue, without negative effects such as increased blood pressure or agitation.
Nutritional Values of Black Tea
Important nutrients and minerals found in many black teas include minerals such as fluoride, calcium, zinc, magnesium, and potassium. Additionally, it contains various antioxidant polyphenols, B vitamins, tannins, and amino acids. Lapsang Souchong black tea contains moderate levels of alkaloids such as caffeine (theine) and theophylline.
Where to buy smoked Lapsang Souchong tea?
Our Natura d'Oriente online store offers various varieties of loose-leaf black tea, including Chinese Lapsang Souchong tea. We select our products according to high-quality criteria and make them available in convenient, stay-fresh 25g, 50g, 100g, 150g, and 300g packs.
How to prepare Lapsang Souchong tea
To prepare this smoked black tea, place about 3-5 grams of Lapsang Souchong in a cup (250ml).
Heat the water to 90-95°C, then pour it into the cup. Let it steep for 3-5 minutes.
Origin of smoked Lapsang Souchong black tea
This black tea represents the legendary discovery of this beverage, made in China in the mid-17th century. We know that for many centuries, only green and oolong teas were consumed, but the story changed in the 17th century, when the recipe for Lapsang Souchong tea (Zhengshan xiaozhong) appeared in Fujian province, in southeastern China. Legend has it that an imperial army camped near a local tea factory. The unexpected camp caused the farmers to flee, so the leaves were exposed to the sun.for a longer period than usual. Prolonged oxidation caused the tea leaves to take on a dark red color. When they returned to the village, to "save" the harvest, a farmer placed the leaves on a fire made of pine wood, a local conifer, to speed up the drying process. Thus was born a smoky-flavored tea, Lapsang Souchong, the original Chinese black tea that would pave the way for modern teas. After its inadvertent invention, according to history, this tea was purchased by Dutch traders who brought it to Europe, where it enjoyed great success. From the mid-1800s, Lapsang Souchong became popular in teahouses, particularly in countries like Russia and England, compared to a luxury like cigars and Scotch whisky. Oddly enough, this smoked tea is not widely consumed in China, but is instead considered for export to Europe and America.
Its name means "small leaves of the original mountain," and Lapsang Souchong black tea derives from the Chinese Camellia sinensis-sinensis, with smaller leaves than the Indian variety. Even today, Lapsang Souchong is one of the smoked black teas of which there are several types, derived from various recipes. Some Chinese smoked black teas are flavored, while those from other regions may be smoked with other wood essences.
Lapsang Souchong Tea Side Effects
Drinking tea does not pose many health risks, except for some side effects due to its caffeine content. Lapsang Souchong black tea actually contains low levels of this alkaloid, but if consumed in excess, it can still trigger side effects such as rapid heartbeat, muscle tremors, headache, nervousness, difficulty sleeping, and diarrhea. Furthermore, consuming caffeine on an empty stomach can promote excessive gastric acid production, stomach pain, and nausea. Many of these side effects only occur if the tea is consumed in excessive quantities, so it's advisable to keep intake to moderate levels (1-2 cups per day).
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