Lapsang Souchong
Lapsang Souchong from Wuyi Mountains is the world's oldest black tea, with origins dating to the Ming Dynasty. Its hallmark is the traditional pine-smoking process, which imparts a distinctive smoky aroma and dried fruit sweetness that has made it a timeless classic.
History & Legend
Legend has it that Lapsang Souchong was born by accident: tea leaves got wet during transport, and merchants dried them over pine wood to save the crop. The unexpected smoky flavor became a sensation in Europe, eventually inspiring the British afternoon tea tradition. Traditional craftsmanship is now a protected intangible cultural heritage.
Traditional Craft
The traditional method uses "Qinglou" (blue towers) where leaves are smoked over burning horsetail pine. The pine resin aroma penetrates the leaves, creating Lapsang's signature smoky, dried longan sweetness. Modern variations include heavy-smoked (traditional) and light-smoked or smoke-free versions.
