Russian Caravan

I discovered an old tin of this while I was clearing out some of my clutter. It was almost full! I have no idea when I bought it, but I know it hasn’t been available in the States for a long time.

This was the tea that, years ago, turned me into a tea drinker although not a very steadfast or adventurous one. At one time this was my breakfast beverage of choice, and when I started looking for a replacement I hit upon Taylor’s of Harrowgate’s Scottish Breakfast blend. To my faulty memory, the Scottish Breakfast was reminiscent of my late lamented Russian Caravan, unlike other teas I discovered that were called Russian Caravan, Russian Country, etc. I had absolutely NO memory of the slight smokiness of the Twinings Russian Caravan. Which was still there when I finally brewed a cup!

I think this is mostly Assam with a small proportion of Lapsang Souchong. Others say it’s Keemun, and the recent copy above says its Chinese tea, not Indian, so either the blend has changed or I can’t tell because the tea in this tin is so old and my taste buds are, too! It’s a much fainter smokiness than any of the other Russian Caravan teas I’ve tried, but since I have no memory of that from earlier days I don’t think it has deteriorated in the case of my aging tin. I suspect I was drinking a bit of full-strength Lapsang Souchong (probably also Twinings’) in those days as well.

Anyway, this long ramble comes down to several things: it was nice to revisit an old friend, and I will be sorry to empty the tin, but good to know how well the tea apparently held up. I also know now that there are newer friends out there that can fill the place this tea once held in my cupboard.

I was in the ED today and found a box of this in the breakroom. It swells smoky dry. I used water from the zip kettle so it was boiling and maybe even a little superheated. I brewed it for probably over 5 minutes while I was talking to Orthopaedics in Townsville. It has a pretty mild smoky flavour, just detectable. It is also on the sweet side without any additions. While it wasn’t the most interesting Russian Caravan, it is a nice changed from the bagged ceylon I have been drinking at work.

I’ve been drinking this quite steadily at work these past few days. The mornings have got pretty cold, and this is just the tea I need to get the day started once I arrive. I know there’s some confusion about the origin of this tea, but my bag says chinese keemun.

First off, I have to say that this isn’t quite what I thought. From what I’ve read about Russian Caravan I was expecting a slightly smoky taste, which I can’t detect at all. I find myself mildly disappointed by this. That being said, I think this is a fabulous breakfast tea — strong and dependable. I’m actually considering replacing my usual English Breakfast with this, because, while not very exciting, it is a fabulous tasting tea.

I think I’ll continue to experiment with Russian Caravan blends from other manufacturers, because I’d really like to find one with the fabled smokiness. For now, though, this is really hitting the spot.

Twinings Russian Caravan has been my everyday “quaffing” tea for many years. It has a smooth but robust flavour that is perfect for any time of day. It doesn’t leave your palate feeling bitter, unlike the rough ride you get from a lot of the budget brand supermarket teas.

There is simply no comparison between the loose tea and tea bags in Twinings Russian Caravan – the loose tea wins hands down. And fortunately it is readily available on supermarket shelves around here (regional Victoria, Australia), unlike some other varieties of Twinings loose tea.

As with all other teas, I drink mine black with no sugar.

I started drinking the Twinings Russian Caravan about a decade and a half ago. I’d only buy the loose leaf in the blue tins but then they stopped selling it in the US. I could find it in teabags every once in awhile but it wasn’t as good. Recently I heard that Twinings still produced it for both the UK and Australia – and that the UK website ships to the US. 4 125g bags cost just under $50 in total after shipping and I’m pleased to report was worth every penny. This is my long lost friend, home again. A perfect balance of flavor, not too bitter, just sweet enough and strong caffeine. This will be my go to tea for as long as I can get it.

I tried this tea while traveling to south east asia years ago. Found it in Thailand and Cambodia. It was made in the Australian branch of Twinings not available in the northern hemisphere from what I can find. It is my second favorite tea after Chai currently. But every manufacturer other than the Australian Twinnings version I toss out because I don’t like them. If you ever get a chance try out the Australian Twinings Russian Caravan if you are a fan of black tea.

Completing my trio of Russian Caravan staples (until I find new ones!), this is the least smoky of the three. The underlying flavours are malty & smooth, so all in all a very pleasant cuppa.
Lack of strong smoky notes can be a positive, as it is less likely to overpower food eaten with it, it’s better in warm weather & you can have more than one cup without feeling like there’s an old bonfire site in your mouth.
However, I LOVE the smokier Russian Caravans, so I have rated the Tamborine Tea & T2 versions higher.
Despite that, this is a very good all-day tea, where stronger smoky teas perhaps should be restricted to earlier in the day.
I’ve read reviews where they say the loose leaf version is better than tea bags… I can feel another purchase coming on…

One of Twinings best. Subtle smoky fragrance and a solid black brew.. Some say a tobacco fragrance as well, I wouldn’t argue with that. Best to leave for 4 minutes or longer if you like it stronger. Very nice.

How i got it: Bought it

Experience: This is a interesting tea. While it has a smooth and light flavor, it’s not clear and evident; i would say it goes more on the nutty and malty side, with a hint of acidic. At the other hand, in addition to the tea’s own aroma, i can sense a very slight touch of smokiness. The resulting bouquet is notable and adds a special touch to the blend. Really good.

Would i buy it again?: Sure, it’s a good addition to the mix

This smells exactly like burning eucalyptus on a guides campfire as a child, a warm, smokey scent mingled with slightly burnt food and memories. It makes me happy, and nostalgic, despite never having smelt it before.

The first sip; a hint of smoke, enough to tickle at the very backs of my nostrils and fill my mouth with faint tastes of something very slightly floral. This is a tea I could happily drink for the rest of my life.

I keep breathing it in, filling my tiny dorm room with smells and memories of being outside. Russian Caravan reduces me to a seven year old, wrapped in my sleeping bag, fishing burnt marshmallows from the embers. It tastes like a part of my childhood I had forgotten.

The second sip is less perfect, the taste of smoke I expected to grow is lessened by my expectation. I take a third, trying not to expect smoke, and a whole new world lights up for me. Yes, there is still the smoke, wrapping the furthest corners of my mind, but now the woody undertones are more present, I feel like I’ve been transported into the middle of a forest, sitting by a campfire sharing old stories and wrapped in a patchwork quilt.

This is my comfort tea, my escape from the world. Each taste welcomes something new, but it is always something I want to sip again.

If this is what bagged tea can be, then I can only wonder what true tea could taste like.

Colour: Reddish Brown
Drunk black, no additives