Old Street Coffee, Coffee Tree Origin, and the Two Styles of Lapsang Souchong
Lapsang Souchong, widely described as the earliest black tea, splits into two styles in China: a heavily smoked version sent to Europe and an unsmoked premium grade kept for the domestic market. The smoked type carries an intense pine-and-peat character; the unsmoked Qizhong from Tongmu Pass above 1,100 meters instead shows tropical fruit and peach aromas.
Qizhong borrows oolong fermentation methods, then is slow-roasted over low-temperature charcoal, which builds its fruity profile. The current lot is the 2020 vintage; unusually dry spring weather that year concentrated the aroma. Although rare, the tea is easy to read and approachable for newcomers, and it is the base often used for Earl Grey blends.
As the world's earliest black tea, Lapsang Souchong not only has deep historical roots in Europe, but is also divided in China into two categories based on flavor differences: heavily smoked and premium unsmoked. This article will guide you through the most authentic production areas of smoked Lapsang Souchong, clarify the relationship between smoked Souchong and Lapsang Souchong, and provide an in-depth introduction to the flavor characteristics and purchasing advice for Qizhong black tea. At the same time, the article specifically mentions products recommended by the "Front Street" brand to help you find your ideal cup of tea.
Lapsang Souchong is widely recognized as the ancestor of black tea worldwide, and it is often used as the base tea for Earl Grey. It was once a favorite of Princess Catherine of Europe, and many stories have circulated around this tea.
The Lapsang Souchong known worldwide, represented by Orthodox Souchong, carries a heavy smoky (incense-like) character, an intensity reminiscent of the peat-smoked whisky produced on Scotland's Isle of Skye.
In sharp contrast, the premium Lapsang Souchong favored by China's affluent classes and seasoned tea enthusiasts has no smoky flavor at all. Lapsang Souchong Qizhong can be said to be a classic representative among premium Lapsang Souchong, produced from tea gardens above 1,100 meters in Tongmu Pass, with raw materials taken from old seedling trees (tea plants grown directly from seeds).
During the tea-making process, the fermentation techniques of oolong tea are borrowed, followed by slow roasting over low-temperature charcoal fire, and the finished product can present fruity aromas similar to tropical fruits and peaches. Interestingly, the current inventory has been switched to the 2020 vintage. Due to extremely little rain in the spring of 2020, this batch of Qizhong has particularly outstanding aroma performance and is highly recommended. Although it is a very premium and rare black tea, its quality characteristics are easy to perceive and it is also very friendly to beginners.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
