The Quick Sip

Organic Black Tea
Superior China tea from the Fujian province, expertly and not overly scented with pinewood smoke, allowing the flavour of the premium tea base to come through. It is a more assertive and bolder tasting tea suited to salty or spicy food, and a wholly acquired taste. In fact it is safe to say that one either loves or hates Lapsang Souchong, though of course it is hoped you will love our version. As intriguingly smoky and aromatic as a single malt Scotch, this style of tea was a favourite of Winston Churchill's.

Tea Tales

As with most China black teas, Lapsang Souchong is drunk largely outside China, but this tea more than any other summons up the traditional Western idea of ‘Old Cathay', complete with images of tiered pagodas and seated mandarins with voluminous sleeves. Characterised by loose leaves that are midnight black and slightly curled, these teas are made by oxidizing and half drying tea leaves in a wok over crackling pinewood, before they are taken to a smokehouse and impregnated with pinewood smoke, effectively curing the tea. The result is a syrupy, smoky liquor reminiscent of an alpine campfire. It was also a favourite of travel writer and novelist Bruce Chatwin.