Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong (Lapsang Souchong)

This Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong (or Lapsang Souchong) is the original from the Wuyi mountains. It has an intensive and spicy taste. The black tea is smoked in a multi-stage process in baskets made of bamboo wickerwork with pine and spruce woods that are particularly rich in resin and have been stored for a long time. The tea develops a harmonious blend of the black tea aroma combined with the strong smoky taste created by artful smoking with a slight mint note. The tea is also used in the gourmet kitchen in various dishes (e.g. roasting).

The Wuyi Mountains are a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. The high demands on nature conservation have led to tea being produced there in reduced quantities only. The tea farmers in the area around Zheng Shan have specialised in high quality tea. They use the finest, selected woods from the surrounding area for smoking. The multi-stage smoking process used for this leads to the intensive aroma. Precisely because of its popularity, this variety is imitated in other regions of China with simple methods in large quantities under the name Lapsang Souchong, in order to serve mainly export markets. However, the high tea quality and the distinctive aroma can only be found in the original Xiao Zhong from Zheng Shan. It is always recommended to compare the quality and taste of the tea.