01Hot
- Amount
- 2.5 g (1 tsp)
- Water
- 250 ml, 100°C
- Time
- 3 minutes
Strain promptly to keep the smoke balanced.
Black Tea
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Russian Caravan
A blend of smoky Lapsang and malty black teas, with a finish that stays with you.
- Caffeine
- Contains caffeine
- Brew
- 1 tsp · 100°C · 3 min
- Milk
- Good with milk
- Best
- Afternoon, a little smoky
Regular price
£4.15
Regular price
Sale price
£4.15
Taxes included.
Shipping calculated at checkout.
- Packed by hand in Huddersfield
- Packed by our Huddersfield team
- Free UK delivery from £35
Which size should I choose?
50gTry it first, or keep a few different teas open.
100gA sensible everyday pouch for most tea drinkers.
200g+Best when it is already part of your tea shelf.
Quantity
One-time purchase is the default. If you choose a subscription, orders repeat at your selected frequency. Read the cancellation policy
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Is this your cup?
People curious about Lapsang who'd like the smoke dialled down with malty black tea.
Perhaps not if you want the full campfire. Try Emperor Butterfly Lapsang Souchong →
Good together
Postage & the practical bits.
We hand-pack your order in Huddersfield. Free standard UK delivery from £35. Delivery options and charges are confirmed at checkout.
Russian Caravan
Smoky black tea blend
Campfire smoke without the singed eyebrows
Russian Caravan gives you the smoky charm of Lapsang Souchong softened by malty Assam and South West Indian black teas. A gentler way into the world of smoke.
- Origin
- India, China
- Caffeine
- Contains caffeine
- Milk?
- Good with a splash
- Best time
- Afternoon onwards
The story
Silk Road smoke, dialled back a notch
The name dates to the eighteenth century, when tea crossed thousands of miles of Mongolian steppe by camel caravan. Legend says the leaves picked up smoke from traders' campfires along the way. Whether that is history or romance, Russian Caravan has kept its smoky reputation ever since.
Porter Hill's blend weaves Lapsang Souchong through a base of malty Assam and South West Indian black teas. You get woodsmoke on the nose and a lingering finish, but with enough body and sweetness to stop it feeling austere. The first cup is best plain so you can taste the balance. After that, a drop of milk rounds everything nicely.
It suits a cooler afternoon when you want something with a bit more presence than your usual brew. Not a full bonfire in your mug, just a comfortable warmth with an edge.
How to brew it
How to brew Russian Caravan
02With milk
- Amount
- 2.5 g (1 tsp)
- Water
- 250 ml, 100°C
- Time
- 3 minutes
Add a small splash of whole milk after straining.
03Second steep
- Amount
- Same leaves
- Water
- 250 ml, 100°C
- Time
- 4 minutes
The smoke softens; malt comes forward.
Shop tip: Use freshly boiled water and time it carefully. Over-steeping can push the tannins into bitterness and overwhelm the malt.
Made for moments like
A damp afternoon walk
Come in from the drizzle, fill the kettle, and let that wisp of smoke warm you up from the inside.
Fireside reading
Settled in with a book and a blanket, this is the sort of cup that keeps you company without demanding attention.
Curious about Lapsang
Not quite ready for full campfire intensity? Start here and see how smoke sits on your palate.
Lovely withSmoked cheese on oatcakesDark chocolate with sea saltA bacon sandwichMature CheddarToasted teacake with butter
Weighing it up?
Not quite what you’re after? Try these.
Emperor Butterfly Lapsang SouchongChoose this if you want the full pine-fire experience with no malty safety net.From £6.15
Weaver's BlendChoose this if you like a little oolong alongside the smoke and want a Huddersfield angle.From £4.15
Bukhial Assam TGFOPChoose this if you love the malt but could do without the smoke altogether.From £4.40
Good questions
Things people ask us in the shop
How smoky is Russian Caravan compared to Lapsang Souchong?
Noticeably gentler. The Assam and South West Indian teas in the blend add malty body that softens the smoke, so you taste woodfire rather than bonfire. Emperor Butterfly Lapsang Souchong in the range is the one for full campfire intensity.
Can I add milk to Russian Caravan?
Absolutely. A small splash of whole milk rounds the smoke and brings out the malt. Try your first cup black to taste the balance, then add milk if you fancy it.
Does Russian Caravan contain caffeine?
Yes, it is a blend of black teas and contains caffeine at a similar level to other black teas. If you need an evening cup, the decaf range might suit better.
How many cups will I get from each bag?
Using about 2.5 g per cup: 50 g gives around 20 cups, 100 g around 40, 250 g around 100, 500 g around 200, and the 1 kg bag around 400 cups.
How should I store it?
Keep it sealed in a cool, dry place away from strong odours. The smoky character is delicate enough to pick up other scents if left open near the spice rack.
Full product details
Russian Caravan is a smoky loose-leaf black tea blend with a malty backbone and a lingering finish. Porter Hill’s product description identifies Lapsang, Assam and South West Indian black teas; exact blend proportions are not supplied.
Choose it when you want smoke woven through a sturdy black brew rather than the full pine-campfire character of a straight Lapsang Souchong. Drink the first cup plain, then add a modest splash of milk if you fancy it.
How to brew
- 2.5 g (about one teaspoon) per 250 ml
- Freshly boiled water at 100°C
- Steep for three minutes, then strain
Contains caffeine. No batch-specific laboratory figure is available.
Read the Russian Caravan guide for the style’s history, brewing adjustments, milk advice and comparison with Emperor Butterfly Lapsang Souchong.
A little smoke, a lot of warmth
Russian Caravan is hand-packed in Yorkshire and ready to ship. Free UK delivery on orders over £35.
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