As a part of our 20th Anniversary Series, we wanted to pay homage to the very first tea asked about by a customer when we originally opened back in December of 2004. Lapsang Souchong. Our blending master incorporated this smokey gem from the Wuyi area of China into a delightful experience, even for those who dislike the robust pine smoke of the original tea. This blend incorporates notes of bourbon, chocolate and maple with a hint of bitters, highlighted with a touch of orange. This blend is rich and complex, and the flavors are balanced with the tea to create an experience that blossoms over the course of a full cup.
Insider Tip: This tea is one that is hard to keep in stock! If you're a fan of black teas, especially Golden Buds, this will be a treat for you! Iced or hot, you can't go wrong.
Caffeine Level: High.
Learn More:
Lapsang Souchong is a black tea originally from the Wuyi region of the Chinese province in Fujian, famous for its smoky aroma and flavor. It is one of the oldest and most unique black teas. "Souchong" refers to the fourth or fifth leaves in the bud, which are more coarser than the leaves closer to the bud. The leaves are roasted in a bamboo basket called a honglong, which is heated over pinewood, contributing its characteristic bold campfire taste and scent. As such smoking the tea gives value to less sought after leaves.
Black tea, or fully oxidized tea, is made from the same plant as green and white teas, camilla sinensis, but is processed differently. Black teas are traditionally produced from one of two varietals, camilla seninsis seninsis or camilla seninsis assamica. Referred to as 'red tea' in most of Asia, referencing the color of the liquor, it is called black tea in the West in reference to the dry leaf color. In China, black tea refers to a pu-erh. Check out our selection here. Black tea can be processed to have a variety of flavors, from a sweet, smooth cup, to a more malty and bracing cup, much depends on the terroir in which the tea was grown and methods used during drying and processing. Black teas are grown all over Asian, including China, India, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, and Georgia. More recently, tea has begun to be produced in Kenya, Malawai, and other, less traditional locations.
Ingredients: Black tea, almond pieces, orange peel, cinnamon, ginger, cocoa, sweet blackberry leaves, flavoring, and vanilla pieces
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