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Bana Tea Company

Lapsang Souchong Smoked Black Tea (5.0) · 6 reviews

Lapsang Souchong Smoked Black Tea

$30.00 USD
$30.00 USD
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Type: Black Tea
Grade: 1-3
Production area: Tongmu, Wuyi Shan, Fujian Province

Tea was not only one of China’s great inventions, it was also a great source of export income during the last few centuries. Created by serendipity, Lapsang Souchong was the original ancestor of all black teas and the first to be imported by the Europeans starting in the 1600s.

Authentic traditional Lapsang Souchong is produced in Tongmu, a nature reserve within Wuyi Mountain in Fujian Province. The prominent characteristic of a traditional Lapsang Souchong is leaves are meticulously smoked with pine wood. The best Lapsang Souchong is one that offers layers of pine smoke, longan (Dragon Eye) fruit, and floral scent. Sadly, the majority of the Lap-sang Souchong available in the United States are of the heavily-smoked variety, which mostly uses leaves from outside of Wuyi Mountain.

Bana is very proud to present authentic traditional Lapsang Souchong from Tongmu. Production of this style of Lapsang Souchong is very limited due to the amount of labor and the skills involved in the production. Brewed to a clear amber hue, the tea offers a bouquet of pine smoke and tropical fruit that is balanced and savory.

Brewing guide

Use 5 grams (1 packet) of leaves in 6 oz pot or cup. Brew with 212 F degree water (100 C).
RINSE: 1 second
1st BREW: 20 seconds
2nd BREW: 20 seconds
3rd BREW: 30 seconds
4th BREW: 30 seconds
5th BREW: 50 seconds
6th BREW: 1 minute

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Customer Reviews (6)

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

It really does taste like longan

By Sara K.
This is the first time I've tried a Lapsang Souchong, and I love it. It tastes like longan, and the smoky flavor makes it taste even better.
Our Response:

This was the first black tea that enamored the people in the West.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Good, Great for This Price

By Sara K.
This tea has a bold flavor. It's not my favorite oolong, not even among Da Hong Pao oolongs. However, since this only costs 20 USD for 75g, it's a great choice for this price.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Best Lapsang Souchong

By Rory
I drink many types of tea and have enjoyed the highest quality. The shop that I normally get my Lapsang Souchong from stop carrying it. Unfortunately for me, I'm extremely picky and only like traditionally smoked old school Lapsang. This was probably the 10th one I've tried in attempting to find a replacement and I am so lucky I did! I will definitely be buying this tea again and not only was it a very quality and traditional style, it also had a delicious palette of flavors and depth that is not normally seen. This is a great tea and I can't wait to get it again. I hope Team Bana considers stocking this tea in loose leaf format so that it can be purchased easier in larger quantities. Thank you for the quality sourcing and attention to detail on this tea.
Our Response:

Your review put a smile on my face. It took a lot of effort for me to find this old fashion good-quality smoked Lapsang. The balance between the smoke flavor and other flavors is so important in a quality Lapsang. I am so glad you appreciate the nuances this old, yet complex tea offers.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Stellar introduction to this legendary tea

By Christopher Baker
This was my first Lapsang Souchong and, of course, it was beyond description. I'm coming at this as a fan of Chinese green and white tea who came here to begin exploring Pu Erh. Your description of the quality tempted me to try this tea which has always existed outside of my comfort zone. I wanted to just savor this first experience and perhaps take notes on later batches. It was so good I felt compelled to write this review as if shouting the proper praises from the rooftops! Warm, sweet, roasty, toasty, and (of course) smoky. Spicy woodiness, something like cedar (but not cedar), more like dried, aged lumber made from a cinnamon tree (which I've never experienced, only imagining because of this dream inducing, transparent, amber liquor). Surprisingly less bitter than I expected from the idea of tea smoked over pine wood. I celebrated every sip! I understand why westerners went so crazy for this. Thank you for this experience!
Our Response:

Wow! That is high praise. Thank you. I wish this historical tea would have a comeback. Unfortunately, the quality of Lapsang gets worse and worse. Some manufacturers even make Lapsang Souchong without the smoky flavor, which totally erases the history of this tea.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lapsang Souchong

By Catherine S
The quality of this tea is much better than the Lapsang Souchong I have tried from other sources. It has a warm smoky flavor that almost resembles a fine tobacco. It is excellent to have in cold winter weather.
Our Response:

Finding a good traditionally processed Lapsang is not that easy. Some are overly smoky and others are not smoky at all. Glad you enjoyed it.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

familiar smoke with good opposing body

By Binkle Snuffit
very nice forward smoke flavor as typical

but there is another flavor or sensation right below it that i have a difficult time describing, it lasts in the mouth, something like soft malt. very pleasant.

and under that is the flavor of the black tea which has been covered and altered so that it has only hints at its original flavor, which for me is dried berry and bark. nice dry flavors
Our Response:

Thank you for such detailed description of the layers of flavor underneath the smoke flavor. That is the difference between a smoke-scented Lapsang vs a smoked Lapsang.