2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14
Lapsang souchong is one of the most famous red teas and is in great demand among customers. Its progenitor is another Chinese tea, which was made by smoking on pine branches, which gave a rich resinous aroma.
Legend of the origin of tea
The appearance of technology for making smoked tea lapsang souchong is associated with a variety of legends. According to one of them, during its transportation to England, tea began to deteriorate from the maritime climate and acquired its own characteristic taste.
According to another legend, the tea makers simply did not have time to prepare tea for customers in time, and to speed up the drying, they used pine wood fire drying.
Production technology
Lapsang souchong tea is made from juicy, large and rather coarse tea leaves. Before fermentation, they are initially dried and dried in the sun. Then the leaves are twisted and poured into baskets. Baskets with tea are placed near the fire or hung above it. For 8 hours, the leaves warm up and turn reddish-brown.shade.
Smoking is carried out on:
- pine wood;
- Chinese spruce roots;
- pine needles.
The entire technological process of smoking tea remains a mystery, but manufacturers say that there are two different ways to make this variety. The first implies that a 3-story hut is used for production, in the basement of which a hearth is bred. Spruce and pine branches are laid out on the second floor, and tea is on the third floor, which is fumigated with smoke. This allows you to achieve a more perfect taste and aroma.
The second manufacturing method is simpler. It means that slightly dried and dried leaves are fried several times over a fire of spruce and pine branches.
Taste and aroma
Lapsang souchong tea has a rather unusual aroma of smoked wood and pine resin, but some smell the aroma of caramel, pear and even ginger. If you try this tea for the first time, you may not immediately like it. Its taste is quite sharp and rich, it even seems that it smells like smoked fish. However, gradually, as the taste develops, you can catch the unique taste and aroma.
When brewed, it has a rich burgundy hue, because it belongs to the red varieties. Lapsang souchong is very popular with people who smoke, as its unusual smoky smell resembles cigarette smoke.
Useful qualities
Useful properties of lapsang souchongmake it a miraculous remedy in the fight against many diseases. The composition of this tea includes many vitamins and amino acids, which are of great value to the human body. Among the beneficial properties of lapsang souchong tea are the following:
- promotes the removal of toxins;
- helps to heal the body;
- normalizes the functioning of the digestive organs;
- increases efficiency;
- prevents fat formation;
- strengthens gums and teeth;
- increases immunity.
It's also a great way to warm up quickly after a long stay in the cold, and tea has relaxing qualities.
Contraindications
Basically, lapsang souchong tea does not cause any adverse reactions in the body, so almost everyone can consume it. However, it is worth noting that in some cases minor allergic reactions may occur. This happens very rarely, mainly in the presence of individual intolerance.
It is not recommended to drink more than 5 cups of tea a day, especially for people with gastritis, as caffeine can increase acidity. In addition, lapsang souchong is contraindicated during pregnancy.
How to brew and drink properly?
Brew lapsang souchong according to tradition in a special clay teapot. Do not put too much tea, as it is very strong. For 100 g of hot water, you need to take 1 tsp. tea leaves. First infusionmust be poured to wash away all the dirt and dust formed during the production of tea and its transportation. The first wash is used to wash cups, a teapot, and also figurines of deities. When brewing it for the second time, the whole taste and aroma of an amazing drink is revealed. This tea can be brewed up to 6 times.
Do not add sugar to it, to improve the taste, you can just put a slice of lemon. The drink is infused for 10 minutes. Chinese traditions recommend inhaling the aroma of this drink before drinking tea.
This tea is best consumed in cold autumn and winter, and after prolonged physical activity.
What to drink tea with?
Snack for this tea is quite spicy. Basturma, savory meat pies, spicy cheese are best suited. Sweet buns and cakes are not suitable at all. However, traditionally in China they drink only tea, without any snack. Locals enjoy a slightly sweet taste with original astringency and smoky flavor.
How to store it properly?
It is recommended to store this tea in a linen bag, as it thus fully retains its unique aroma. The bag must be placed in a tin box and placed in a dark place. Lapsang souchong quickly absorbs foreign odors, which is why it should be stored away from other products. Tea can be stored no more than 2 years.
Cost and fakes
The price of lapsang souchong tea in Russia is approximately 230rubles for 50 grams. This is a rather expensive product, which is why it is important to know how to distinguish quality tea from fakes.
Unscrupulous manufacturers that produce fakes do not always use high-quality Chinese tea as raw materials, and various flavors are used to obtain the aroma. Naturally, the taste of such fake tea is very different from the real one, which is why you need to purchase a quality product only from reliable trusted sellers.
It is worth noting that lapsang souchong can be very different, but the natural flavor and chemical flavors are very different. This drink is rarely liked by anyone on the first try, but it is the favorite variety of Winston Churchill's tea and the entire English Parliament.
Reviews
Reviews about lapsang souchong tea are rather mixed, but many people like its unusual taste and aroma, which gradually reveals itself with each cup of this amazing drink. Many say that it helps to keep warm in the cold season. Tea is quite interesting and original. Another positive quality is that this amazing drink has good medicinal qualities and helps to get rid of various diseases.
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