Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  52Teas

Tea Description:

Here’s a decadent and unique treat for tea and chocolate lovers. This is one of six new blends we created for our Box of Chocolate samplers. Lapsang souchong is a unique Chinese black tea that is smoke-dried over pine fires. This gives it a one-of-a-kind smoky flavor. For those who are not familiar with smoked teas, our tea of the week this week is a great introduction since we’ve blended the lapsang with (non-smoked) Nilgiri black tea, organic cacao nibs and natural rich chocolate flavoring. The combination yields a decadent, exotic and comforting cuppa that will leave you craving more.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

I am not sure what I think about this tea just yet, to be honest.  Usually, before I start writing a review, I have a clear idea of how I’ll approach it, but with this tea, I’m not able to do that, because I’ve not yet formed my opinion about the tea.  I hope that as I continue to write this review while sipping on the tea, my ideas will come to me.  I hope you do not mind me taking you on such a journey!

I usually brew Lapsang Souchong teas in my gaiwan using short steeps, and that’s how I brewed this tea at first.  But unfortunately, the short steeps rendered a tea that had very little chocolate flavor because the short steep time did not extract enough flavor from the cacao nibs.

So, I brewed the rest of the sample that I had in this tea in my smart brewer, and hoped that it would turn out better than the previous brewing.  I steeped it for 3 minutes using boiling water, and the result is much better:  I can taste chocolate now.

But, I also taste a very strong smoky essence from the Lapsang Souchong.  I know, I know, that’s supposed to be the idea, right?  With a name like Smoky Chocolate, it should be smoky.  But I am not so sure about the balance between smoke and chocolate with this.  I think I would like it to be a little less smoky and a little more chocolate-y. As it is, the chocolate is delicious, but it’s a little overwhelmed by the smoky notes.

That’s not to say it’s bad.  It’s actually good, and the flavor becomes more appealing as I continue to sip.  I like that the tea base is a blend of Lapsang Souchong and Nilgiri tea to help cut back on that smoky pine taste just a little.  The backdrop of tea flavor is strong and flavorful.  I taste hints of pine and an earthiness to the cup, and I find that the earthiness in particular is quite complementary to the flavor of the chocolate.

Is this a favorite from 52Teas?  No, but, I did enjoy it, and am glad that I got to try it.  I do like how the chocolate and smoke flavors taste together, although I think it would have been better if there was a little less smoke and a little more chocolate.  I do find that the chocolate flavors intensify as the tea cools, so if you find with your first few sips of this tea that you want more chocolate taste, just let it cool slightly and I think you’ll discover that chocolate flavor you’re searching for.

This tea is featured in the Box of Chocolates Sampler, and it was the Tea of the Week for the week of February 6, 2012.

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Dr. Tea’s Tea Garden

About This Tea:

The story goes that Lapsang Souchong was first created when the Wuyi region’s annual tea drying process was interrupted by army movement. To compensate for the missed drying period, tea farmers hung their tea over pinewood fires, consequently imparting a distinctive smoky flavor and aroma. Our Lapsang Souchong is sourced by Mark Ukra, co-owner of Dr. Tea’s Tea Garden, who comes from a family of Middle Eastern tea merchants dating back 400 years. Drink Lapsang Souchong plain or try it as a spice or rub for cooking.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

January’s Steepster Select box brought teas that to help warm us up from Winter’s Chill.  The first tea that I tried from the box was this Lapsang Souchong, which is a little unusual for me since it’s one of my least favorite teas (well, not this Lapsang Souchong, but Lapsang Souchong in general is one of my least favorite teas).

But this is no ordinary Lapsang Souchong.  This is easily the best that I’ve ever tried.  Now, I can’t say that I’ve tried a lot of Lapsang Souchong teas, as it is one of those teas that I tend to avoid, but I have tried a few, and I’ve even managed to – slowly – get my palate more accustomed to the unique flavor experience of Lapsang Souchong.  While I am slowly gaining an appreciation for this strong, smoky tea, it is still sometimes difficult for me to get past it.

This Lapsang Souchong from Dr. Tea’s Tea Garden has been a real eye-opening experience for me.  I am not just “appreciating” this tea … I’m LOVING it!

The first couple of sips are quite smoky.  But once I get past those first sips, I find wonderful flavors await me.  I can actually taste the pine here, and that is something that I didn’t really experience in previous Lapsang Souchong tastings.  I may have tasted mere hints of pine in the distance, but, mostly what I tasted was smoke and the caramel undertone.  Here, the pine is quite distinct and it is lovely.

The caramel undertones are there as well, giving a very pleasant sweetness to the smoky overtones.  But what I find especially enjoyable is the way that the caramel undertones meld with the pine notes.  The flavors here are deep and intriguing.

A very unique Lapsang Souchong, and I have Steepster Select for bringing it to me!

Tea Type: Black Tea

Where To Buy: Teavivre

Product Description:

Origin: Qimen, Anhui, China

Ingredients: Dark black, glossy thin buds topped with golden tips

Harvest time: Hand-picked in April, 2011

Taste: A bold but smooth, fruity taste with a lingering, mellow aftertaste

Brew: 1-2 teaspoons for 8oz of water. Brew at 194 ºF (90 ºC) for 2 to 3 minutes (exact time depends on your taste – a longer time will give the tea a stronger taste and color)

Health Benefits: Keemun black tea is fully oxidised, and so does not have the same level of antioxidants as our Green or White teas. However it still makes a great healthy tea to drink, especially if drunk with no or minimal milk and sugar, and provides a great natural source of fluoride and other vitamins.

Tasters Review:

I never know what to expect from Keemuns.  I think they are a very diverse tea…with tastes, generally speaking, all across the board!  But this one from Teavivre seems to be right up my alley!  This is wonderful! As far as the strength of the black tea base I would have to say it’s around medium strength but it’s the other things that are happening with this black tea that make it special.

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where To Buy:  Culinary Teas

Product Description: 

A superior leaf Lapsang Souchong offering a smooth, crisp, and heady aroma of an oak wood fire. A popular and certainly unique black tea.

Taster’s Review:

I have never been fond of Lapsang Souchong.  There was a time when I couldn’t even have it in my house because the smell repulsed me so.  Since that time, I have come around and gained some appreciation for this tea.  It will probably never become a favorite tea of mine, but, I have come to a point where I can sip on a cup every once in a while and actually enjoy it.

This is a strong Lapsang Souchong.  The dry leaf is very dark, and there is a deep smokiness to the aroma.  Some might liken it to a campfire scent, but, I can’t recall the fires at camp smelling like this.  This smells like it’s been slowly smoked over oak.

That slow-smoked essence translates into the flavor.  It has a very deep, smoky taste.  I agree with the above description – it does have a certain crispness to the taste, as well as a smoothness that I didn’t expect.  With such a smoky essence, I might have expected more of a rustic feel to it; however, this one is more of a sophisticated smoky taste with its smooth character.

Beneath the smoky notes, I taste subtle notes of oak and even the faintest hint of dark cocoa.  It’s really quite nice.  I can also detect a lovely caramel-like sweetness.  The discovery of the caramel-y undertones in a Lapsang Souchong has been its saving grace for me, because I actually really like the combination of the smoke and the caramel.

This Lapsang Souchong from Culinary Teas is a top-notch Lapsang Souchong, with a beautiful complexity just below its smoky surface.  I am glad that I have been able to come to gain some appreciation for Lapsang Souchong tea, otherwise I may have offered this one to someone else without giving it a taste – and I would have missed out on all this fabulous flavor.

My first cup of this tea I first tasted with no additions and decided it needed a little bit of turbinado sugar to help bring out those caramel undertones.  For my second cup, I decided to try it as a latte, and it really is good.  The milk subdues the smokiness and plays to the caramel sweetness – giving it a creaminess.  It’s wonderful!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy:  The Tao of Tea

Product Description:

Grown at a 100% Organic tea garden within Wuyishan, a scenic area stretching along Fujian’s northernmost border with Jiangxi Province. It comprises 36 graceful rock peaks and a twisting, curving river called Nine Bend Creek.

Taster’s Review:

As many of you probably are aware, I’m quite fond of Oolong tea.  Well, I guess I should qualify that by saying I am fond of most Oolong teas.  Occasionally, I’ll come across one that I’m not crazy about, but for the most part, I typically adore Oolong.

Wuyi Oolong has taken me a bit longer to embrace than say, a greener Oolong.  The strong, smoked quality of the Wuyi was, at first, somewhat off-putting to me.  I have since come around and discovered the many wonderful nuances within a Wuyi, and have learned to appreciate Wuyi Oolong.

This is an excellent Wuyi.  Smoky – yes.  But there is so much more to it than just “smoky” and that is what I love about it.  There is a beautiful caramelized undertone that is sweet with a hint of sour.  The nutty flavors of this tea are enhanced by the smoky overtones, giving it a sort of fresh-roasted nut flavor.  There is a hint of fruit flavor to this – plum perhaps?  While there is such a lovely contrast of flavors, the transition between the flavors is remarkably smooth.  There is no bitterness to the cup, and only a slight astringency at the tail.

This is a delicious Oolong.  It has a very cozy feel to it – like a warm blanket in autumn, and because of that autumnal feel I prefer this one served hot.  While it is delicious iced, some of the more subtle nuances are lost with the chilling process, so to enjoy this one at its fullest, I recommend drinking it while its hot.

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  52Teas

Product Description:

When our good friend, LiberTEAs asked us to create this blend, I have to admit that I tabled the idea for a few days, thinking she would forget about it. We’ve created some unusual blends, but tomato, basil and black pepper? Really?

Well, she didn’t forget about it and though it took me a while, here we are.

We’ve blended our premium Indian black teas with just a tiny touch of lapsang souchoung, sun-dried tomatoes, black peppercorns, basil and natural flavors.

Taster’s Review:

How cool is this?  Frank (the Chief Zoomdweebie at 52Teas) created this blend for me.  And, as weird as the combination may sound to you, it actually tastes amazing.

When I originally requested this blend, I requested it as a green tea.  My thought was “tomato salad in a teacup” – but then, when Frank contacted me, he suggested making it a black tea and adding just a touch of Lapsang Souchong (which is NOT a favorite tea of mine) to the blend for a smoky note.  My first reaction was “eww, no” because that is my reaction when it comes to Lapsang Souchong.  But, after thinking about it for a few minutes, I thought that as long as the Lapsang Souchong was added at just the right amount, the smoky note would be very complimentary to the flavors of tomato, basil and black pepper.  So, I decided that the black tea would be a better choice… and now I have the most delicious “tomato soup in a teacup.”

The black tea base does not overwhelm here.  One taster of this tea stated that the Lapsang Souchong overpowers the flavors of black pepper and basil, but, I don’t think this is true.  I steeped my cup for just 2 1/2 minutes, added a pinch of sea salt (because you’ve gotta salt your tomatoes!) and the flavors are all represented well in the taste.  And I must admit that the Lapsang Souchong does add a pleasing smoky note to the cup.

But you’re probably still thinking to yourself … what on earth possessed this person to request a tomato flavored tea?  Am I right?  Well, tomato is my favorite fruit.  Yes, I know that it is used more like a vegetable than a fruit, but it is still – technically – a fruit.  And I love tomatoes.  Especially those just picked, sun-ripened, grown in the backyard tomatoes.  YUM!

The tomato here is the strongest flavor.  It doesn’t taste quite like the aforementioned fresh tomato, instead, it tastes like a cross between a fire-roasted tomato and a sun-dried tomato.  But that’s OK, because I happen to love them too.  And the flavor is so vibrant!  The basil is quite a bit softer, but it lends a fresh note to the cup, and the pepper adds a kick of spice.

Together these flavors make up a delicious tea that, when paired with some crackers, make for a light and yummy lunch!   THIS is the way tomato soup should taste!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Adagio Teas

Product Description:

Very biting tea smoothed over with a caramel smile. Great to wake up to, especially if you are dropping the coffee habit. Great for the early morning attitude enhancement with the added benefit of enabling you to think beofre you speak. Shut the hell up and give it a try.

Created by: Travis Pelt

Taster’s Review:

As some of you may know, I’m not particularly fond of Lapsang Souchong so I generally avoid them whenever possible.  I find the strong, smoky character of a typical Lapsang Souchong to be rather off-putting.

However, I am slowly developing an appreciation for strong, smoky teas such as Lapsang Souchong, but, suffice to say that while I am usually willing to try a tea with Lapsang Souchong in it, it is not something I probably would want to try.

But that all went out the window when I saw the name of this signature blend from Adagio Teas (created by Travis Pelt).  I knew I had to try it!

And I really am glad I did – this is actually really good.  The tea is very strong – ROBUST!  But what makes this tea especially good to me is the balance of tastes.  It is a smoky tea, but it isn’t too smoky.  It is, in fact, one of the most thoughtful blends I have encountered – and by that I mean that the underlying caramel-y notes of the Lapsang Souchong are highlighted with the addition of the caramel flavored black tea.  The sweet, creamy notes of the caramel are enhanced by the malty notes of the Assam.

The three types of tea create a very harmonized and yet hefty blend!  It is a little chewy and has a nice bake-y taste.  It makes a perfect morning tea, but I am actually enjoying it later in the afternoon at the moment – it is the perfect accompaniment to Dulce de Leche cookies from the Girl Scouts!  YUM!

Where to Buy:  Arbor Teas

Company Description:

A rich, smoky combination of dark chocolate ganache and our smoked Lapsang Souchong Black Tea, square cut and dipped in dark chocolate.

Taster’s Review:

Editor’s Note:  This review represents part 1 of 6 reviews, one review for each of the six flavors in the truffle collection available from Arbor Teas

Oh yummy!  Is there anything more exciting than tea-infused chocolates?  As a foodie, I love it when two of my favorite edibles are paired together in one delectable item.  And as a tea enthusiast AND chocoholic, I simply cannot resist these Tea-Infused truffles from Arbor Teas.

The appearance of this truffle is truly luxurious.  Regal even!  It has a brush stroke of glittery edible gold leaf, which adds a bit of sparkle and elegance to this yummy truffle.

And as some of you are probably aware, I’m not particularly fond of Lapsang Souchong.  I am slowly acquiring a taste for this classic, but, still, it’s not my favorite tea.  So, this is the one chocolate truffle in the six about which I was the most skeptical.

But, it is truly amazing!  The smokiness that usually throws me off in a Lapsang Souchong tea tastes absolutely divine in this dark chocolate truffle.  The deep, dark caramel-y notes of the tea create a flavor that is euphoric!

If this chocolate is any indication of what lies ahead with the other five truffles – I am truly in for a treat!  This truffle is amazingly, SINFULLY delicious!

Tea Type: Black Tea

Where To Buy: Andrews and Dunham Damn Fine Tea

Product Description:

The middleweight dynamo, The English Wonder of West Midlands, has yet to be defeated in a morning bout. While it is known that he prefers to maintain a strict diet of milk and raw honey for up to three days before each contest, it may also be of interest to know that he has startled all manner of audience with his feats of manly engagement. Only last week he delighted onlookers in Wollaston and Great Wyrley with his repeated submersing of both fists in boiling hot water, emerging entirely unscathed and without remark.

Andrews & Dunham insist that you soak an ample quantity of these black tea leaves from China in boiling water for no fewer than four minutes. Repeating this effort will result in further satisfaction.

Tasters Review:

Jackee Muntz – you are another Slightly Smoky Tea I find enjoyable! Jackee smells a bit smoky and tastes a little bit more smoky.

I do not smoke.  I am one of just two people where I work who do NOT smoke.  Therefore – when they take their ‘smoke-breaks’ I declare a “smoky-tea-break’ and from now on Jackee Muntz is one of the ones on my list to share a ‘smoky-tea-break’ with.

I did try a 2nd infusion on this one and found that the smokiness isn’t really there as much the 2nd time around but it’s a bit more sweet and caramel-like.

At the very least no one can say that Jackee isn’t unique!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Enjoying Tea

Company Description:

Lapsang souchong is a special Chinese black tea. This tea produces a reddish hue liquor with a smooth crisp taste and a smoky aroma of pine wood fire. The lapsang souchong is considered to be heavy and overpowering by many.

The method of production for this tea is the following: The leaves are first withered over fires of pine wood. After pan-frying and rolling, they are presses into wooden barrels and covered with cloth to ferment until they give off a pleasant fragrance. The leaves are fired again and rolled into taut strips. Then they are placed in bamboo baskets and hung on wooden racks over smoking pine fires to dry and absorb the smoke flavor.

Taster’s Review:

I feel that I need to preface this review with this:  I am not a fan of Lapsang Souchong teas.  I am one of the “many” as depicted in the above review that find Lapsang Souchong tea to be “heavy and overpowering.”  The pine smoke aroma and taste is a bit overwhelming for my personal taste.   And because my first experience with a Lapsang Souchong was not a positive one, and since that time, I’ve steered myself clear of Lapsang Souchong teas.

That being said, I have learned since that first experience that not all teas are the same – including Lapsang Souchong teas! – and it’s not fair for me to now judge all Lapsang Souchong teas based on one bad experience years ago… I mean, who knows?  Perhaps my tastes have changed.  Perhaps that one Lapsang Souchong was not a good representation of all Lapsang Souchong teas.  I need to not allow myself to become confined based upon my opinions.  I need to experience things to make sure I truly dislike them… only then can I be sure.

So, summoning up all the courage I can muster, I brew myself a cup of this Lapsang Souchong from Enjoying Tea.  I awaken the tea leaves first, giving them a quick “rinse” (or pre-infusion) with boiling water for about 10 seconds before I steep the tea.

The flavor and aroma is quite smoky (no surprise there, this IS a Lapsang Souchong tea).  But I do think that the pre-rinse did help, because it’s not as smoky as I seem to remember Lapsang Souchong being.  I can smell the pine scent, it reminds me of the scent of the smoke when one burns pine needles.  It isn’t my favorite scent, but it isn’t unpleasant, either.

This is a very complex tea.  I can taste the smoky essence and the presence of the pine.  But beneath those rather heavy layers there is a nice (yes, I said NICE) and delicious (yes, delicious) caramel-y sweetness that complements the smoky and pine flavors well, and while it is still not my favorite tea, I can see what others love in this tea.  It is not as terrible as I once made it out to be.

So, I guess what I’m trying to say is, don’t let your opinions you’ve formed years ago shape who you are now.  Be willing to try something new and out of your comfort zone, and you might find something rewarding when you do.   Trying this tea was way out of my own comfort zone but I am really very glad that I tried it because I got to taste that delicious caramel flavor to this tea and I now understand this tea just a little better.