Lapsang souchong is a black tea originally from the Zheng Shan part of Mount Wuyi in the Fujian province of China. Real Lapsang Souchong is rare as Wuyi is a small area and there is great demand for it, hence one can expect that real Lapsang Souchong will taste different from what one may find elsewhere. There is a great difference between real Lapsang Souchong and widely available Lapsang Souchong.

Lapsang souchong is a tea which has been withered over pine or cedar fires, pan-fried, rolled and oxidized before being fully dried in bamboo baskets over burning pine. The result is a flavor usually described as "smoky". Sometimes the flavor is described as "oaky", a reference to fine wines (which are stored in oak barrels and develop a characteristic flavor) but, in fact, oak is not used in the process. Tea drinkers describe lapsang's flavor as "assertive" and "bold". Lapsang souchong is considered most complementary to spicy or salty foods. Also, it is purported that this tea is well suited to outdoor enthusiasts, especially after intense physical activities like hiking, distance running, or rock-climbing. This may be due to the fact that commonly available lapsang souchong is usually made from larger, lower grade leaves, that usually also have less caffeine than the more prized Orange Pekoe grade. Lapsang souchong was the favourite tea of the famous travel-writer and explorer Bruce Chatwin. Fictional drinkers of lapsang souchong include the librarian Miss Eells of John Bellairs's The Dark Secret of Weatherend and Emma Frost of the X-Men.

Some people who try lapsang souchong have negative reactions to its flavour and aroma. It can be bitter, and is certainly not sweet. Lapsang souchong is described sometimes as an "acquired taste", or a substance one must taste several times before liking the taste. Trace amounts of lapsang souchong are included in the Twinings company's Earl Grey blend.

References

• Babelcarp on Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong
• Harvestfields.ca on Lapsang Souchong
• Jing Tea Shop on Lapsang Souchong
• Lapsang.cn on Wuyi Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong and History of Wuyi Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong

Tea | Chinese Tea | Chinese tea grown in Fujian | Wuyi tea

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