Unsmoked

Tea Information:

Leaf Type: Black

Tea Description:

From the same region as the smoked version, this handmade tea has a very subtle smokiness resulting from the roasting process. It carries a rich, fulfilling flavor that is less overpowering than its smoked counterpart.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

While recently perusing the Townshend’s Tea Co. website, I came across this tea and was instantly intrigued. I hadn’t actually planned on ordering tea from them, but, when I saw this tea … something in me jumped up and said “I HAVE TO TRY THAT!” And … I’ve got to say that is pretty weird for me to actually WANT to try a Lapsang Souchong, as it is one of my least favorite teas!

But what makes it my least favorite tea is the heavily smoked flavor (and aroma!) of the Lapsang Souchong … and since this one is “unsmoked” … well, this Lapsang Souchong was calling out to me!

And I LOVE this! There are some smoky tones to this … it isn’t completely without smoke. But, it isn’t that heavy, pine-y smoke flavor that is associated with a typical Lapsang Souchong. Instead, the smoky tones here are light and meld beautifully with the other flavors that I am just now discovering of this tea grown in the same region as the smoky Lapsang Souchong.

Luscious fruit tones and even some floral notes are in there, now not hiding behind a smoky veil, and the smoky notes marry with the fruit and floral tones to create a very harmonious taste unlike anything I have ever experienced with a tea. There is very little astringency to this, and no bitterness. It is robust and has a delicious roasted taste to it, which gives it a very hearty vigor.

One thing that this tea is missing (other than the heavy smoke!) is the deep caramel-y undertones that I usually taste with a Lapsang Souchong. I am guessing that is because of the lack of smoke, which probably “caramelized” these deliciously sweet fruity notes into a caramel-y taste. And while I love the flavor of caramel, and it was the discovery of those caramel-y undertones that started me on a path of rediscovering Lapsang Souchong and appreciating this tea a little more than I used to … I definitely prefer Lapsang Souchong without the heavy smoke and caramel.

I really, REALLY like this. A very nice alternative to the usually heavily smoked Lapsang Souchong.

liberteas

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see. Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog! Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!

This post was posted in Black Tea