This tea is my enigma.
I cannot discombobulate the strange aroma and taste with the fact that I am essentially just drinking slightly flavoured water! I mentioned yesterday that when I first opened the sample box, the smokey aroma really shocked me. I knew from reading reviews on Steepster that lapsang souchong was one of those “fringe” teas that you either loved or hated, but I had no idea what to expect once I actually got my hands on some of it.
Upon further reflection yesterday night about my strange and puzzling new tea sample that wafted its aroma from its box all around my kitchen, I realized that the smell it reminded me of campfire smoke. Exactly this. I could almost see the smoke spewing out of the little box (which, incidentally, I also realized looked like cigarette packs, lol…) if I took a deep breath of it.
I brewed it after work today, still having no idea what to expect in terms of flavour. When I poured the water over the teabag, lo and behold: smoked salami. What the hell are you talking about, you might ask? I have no freaking clue. When this tea was brewing, I swear to you it smelled like heavily smoked, delicious meat. Some sort of salami or even smoked salmon maybe. My stomach grumbled because I got hungry from the aroma alone. It was beginning to be difficult to be content with the yogurt/fruit snack I had decided to prepare for myself along with this tea.
Needless to say, I was hesitant in my first tasting. The aroma died down after a while as it cooled down (or maybe I just got used to having it around me), and it went back to a less enticing campfire smoke smell. If I had to describe what campfire smoke tastes like, I’d pretty much just hand you some of this tea. Even in my mouth, I can barely get around the smokiness to catch a hint of the black tea underneath, although I do have fleeting glimpses of it if I concentrate hard enough. It’s not unpleasant per se, I just don’t really know to enjoy this weird new sensation. Maybe one day I will become a lapsang souchong appreciator. For now, I will let this tea puzzle me from inside a box.
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When I was in my 20s, I always ordered Lapsang when I went out for high tea. It can be excellent with the right food. Just recently, I revisited it, and you’re correct-it’s a punch you in the face kind of tea. My next tea quest is to find a reasonably gentle Lapsang, assuming such a thing exisits. Very much enjoyed your spot on review.
Lapsangs, like other teas, can be so very different. Black Dragon from Upton Tea is sweet and good, Baker Street Blend is a mix of lapsing and Darjeeling and we love it. We like it strong, so Dammann Freres Lapsang Souchong Crocodile is one of our favorites, as is Lapsang from Zen Tea Life in Canada. I do not care for Lapsang tea that just tastes like smokey water, though! It has to have some body for me. My youngest daughter has loved it since she first had it at about age 11. Lapsang is great with certain cheeses. :)
@ashmanra, thanks very much for the recommendations. I am going to do some Lapsang scouting. I order a lot of samples from Upton so I can start there. Cheers!
@Whiteantlers Thank you, I am happy you enjoyed reading it! I think, when my courage comes back, I may try a more gentler lapsang souchong, or even try a few different ones that may not be as smokey but more layered with different flavours.
@ Ashmanra Cheese! I love cheese, and I can see why lapsang would be great to pair with it, considering it smells like smoked meat, haha! Thanks for pointing out different lapsangs to try, I will keep them in mind!
When I was in my 20s, I always ordered Lapsang when I went out for high tea. It can be excellent with the right food. Just recently, I revisited it, and you’re correct-it’s a punch you in the face kind of tea. My next tea quest is to find a reasonably gentle Lapsang, assuming such a thing exisits. Very much enjoyed your spot on review.
Lapsangs, like other teas, can be so very different. Black Dragon from Upton Tea is sweet and good, Baker Street Blend is a mix of lapsing and Darjeeling and we love it. We like it strong, so Dammann Freres Lapsang Souchong Crocodile is one of our favorites, as is Lapsang from Zen Tea Life in Canada. I do not care for Lapsang tea that just tastes like smokey water, though! It has to have some body for me. My youngest daughter has loved it since she first had it at about age 11. Lapsang is great with certain cheeses. :)
@ashmanra, thanks very much for the recommendations. I am going to do some Lapsang scouting. I order a lot of samples from Upton so I can start there. Cheers!
@Whiteantlers Thank you, I am happy you enjoyed reading it! I think, when my courage comes back, I may try a more gentler lapsang souchong, or even try a few different ones that may not be as smokey but more layered with different flavours.
@ Ashmanra Cheese! I love cheese, and I can see why lapsang would be great to pair with it, considering it smells like smoked meat, haha! Thanks for pointing out different lapsangs to try, I will keep them in mind!