Lapsang souchong

Lapsang Souchong an interesting China tea with the smoky flavour obtained by burning resinous pinewood during drying.

“Souchong” refers to the fourth and fifth leaves of the tea plant. These leaves are coarser than the leaves closer to the bud and have fewer aromatic compounds. The leaves are roasted in a bamboo basket called a honglong, which is heated over burning firewood which contributes to the dried longan aroma and smoky flavour. Pinewood is used as the firewood for lapsang souchong and contains the characteristic resin aroma and taste.