What makes Russian Caravan Tea smoky?
Russian Caravan tea is a type of black tea that has a unique smoky flavour. The name "Russian Caravan" comes from the fact that this type of tea was traditionally transported by camel caravans from China to Russia. One of the key ingredients in Russian Caravan tea is Lapsang Souchong, a black tea that is known for its strong smoky flavour and aroma.
The history of Lapsang Souchong can be traced back to the 17th century in the Wuyi Mountains of China's Fujian province. Legend has it that during a war, a group of tea producers were forced to speed up the drying process of their tea leaves by smoking them over pinewood fires. This unintended discovery resulted in a new type of tea that was named Lapsang Souchong.
Click here to buy luxurious Lapsang Souchong loose leaf tea
〰️
Click here to buy luxurious Lapsang Souchong loose leaf tea 〰️
As mentioned earlier, during the 18th century, Russia began to import large quantities of tea from China and a significant portion of the tea was Lapsang Souchong due to its unique smoky flavour which was highly valued by the Russian consumers. The tea was transported through the treacherous terrain of the Himalayas and the Gobi Desert, and the journey could take up to a year. The long journey, combined with the campfires used by the caravan traders, gave the tea its distinct smoky flavour. This smoky flavour of Lapsang Souchong blended well with the other teas in the Russian Caravan and helped to create the unique taste profile of Russian Caravan tea.
During the 19th century, Russian Caravan tea became very popular in Russia and Europe, and it was considered a luxury item. The demand for the tea was so high that it was considered a valuable commodity and was traded at high prices.
Today, Lapsang Souchong is still produced in the Wuyi Mountains and is considered a specialty tea. It is used as an ingredient in blends such as Russian Caravan tea and is also enjoyed on its own for its strong smoky flavour.
Russian Caravan tea has a rich history and cultural significance. Today, it is a niche tea that is enjoyed by tea connoisseurs.