Yesterday afternoon, I needed a energy boost.
But, I was also heading out the door.
I just received my tea order from Mountain Rose Herbs, so I reached my hand in the box blindly and pulled this out.
I had forgotten I had even ordered this tea.
I actually ordered it for my Hubby.
He likes black teas, when he does drink tea and I thought this tea would appeal to him.
I almost groaned inwardly when I grabbed it though, I have had a terrible Lapsang Souchong experience.
But, there was no time, brew it up and stick it in a mug and out the door I run.
Ten years ago my father was experimenting with new flavors of tea and bought a Lapsang Souchong from somewhere…I wish I could remember where so I could avoid it.
But, it tasted nothing like this tea, it was so highly smoky it caused me to have a headache when he brewed it.
It was a chemically smoky smell, like someone had dumped liquid smoke into a cup.
Enter me taking a sip of this tea.
Well, Hello There!
Surprise was so written over my face yesterday, that the person I was talking to asked me if I was all right. (I mean, I did just take a sip from my cup, then my hand flutters to my chest and a look of complete surprise on my face… I think I should try new teas at home and not in front of others from now on:)
It is lightly smoky, not intense, the odor is like a campfire across the canyon rather then sticking my face in a trash burner (what I would say the other tea tasted like)
The tangy smoke hits the tongue and then a well rounded sweetness emerges.
In fact it is a earthy sweetness, like honey.
Last night I went to bed thinking of this tea, so much so, that I had to tell myself, like a child waiting for Christmas, that the sooner I fall asleep, the sooner morning will come and then I can drink more of this tea.
Brewed in my Libre, it has a lovely rosy red color.
It holds up to a second infusion well.
Preparation
Comments
Wow ..great review!! Sounds soo complex and yummy..I have never tried a Lapsang Souchong before. I would love to try this tea..is it expensive? added to shopping list ;)
Relmaster, All of Mountain Rose Herbs Teas are very reasonably priced, this tea is $4.50 for 4 ounces! (Plus the fact that it is good for 2-3 infusions, makes it really cost effective!)
Thank you both for your kind words:)
Yes, Scott I agree.
In fact, when I first was looking at MRH’s teas they were so cheap compared to other teas that I thought there was no way they could be good quality.
But, everything I have gotten from them is fresh and tasted wonderful.
I think they cut costs by not using tins, they are really nicely packaged for shipment, but when they arrive but you do need to put them in your own tins.
Scott and Hesper June – MRH is also the same way with everything they sell – very high quality, very reasonable prices. I think because like you said, less packaging, plus bulk ordering. Their rose water is so reasonable and the best quality I’ve ever used. Also, their culinary spices are a fraction of the price of the supermarket, but loads higher in quality (and in many cases, organic!)! Love, love, love them.
Your LS is well priced. My local is about the same.
Puripan organic 2oz for 4.99, Teavivre 3.5oz 8.90
Wow ..great review!! Sounds soo complex and yummy..I have never tried a Lapsang Souchong before. I would love to try this tea..is it expensive? added to shopping list ;)
Lovely review! Welcome to the world of delicious Lapsang Souchongs!
Relmaster, All of Mountain Rose Herbs Teas are very reasonably priced, this tea is $4.50 for 4 ounces! (Plus the fact that it is good for 2-3 infusions, makes it really cost effective!)
Thank you both for your kind words:)
Even if you get 1 steep, that’s cheap in the world of specialty tea.
Yes, Scott I agree.
In fact, when I first was looking at MRH’s teas they were so cheap compared to other teas that I thought there was no way they could be good quality.
But, everything I have gotten from them is fresh and tasted wonderful.
I think they cut costs by not using tins, they are really nicely packaged for shipment, but when they arrive but you do need to put them in your own tins.
Scott and Hesper June – MRH is also the same way with everything they sell – very high quality, very reasonable prices. I think because like you said, less packaging, plus bulk ordering. Their rose water is so reasonable and the best quality I’ve ever used. Also, their culinary spices are a fraction of the price of the supermarket, but loads higher in quality (and in many cases, organic!)! Love, love, love them.
Your LS is well priced. My local is about the same.
Puripan organic 2oz for 4.99, Teavivre 3.5oz 8.90
Well said Jacqueline, they are a great company!