Description
Russian Caravan is a blend of Chinese teas built around Lapsang Souchong, with its characteristic smoky taste and aroma. Sweet and smooth tea notes set the stage, allowing the smoky aftertaste to drift and linger. While the smoke is prominent, it’s not aggressive.
Russian Caravan tea history goes back to overland trading routes of the 1600s and 1700s. Traders used camel caravans from China and other tea-producing regions, through Russia, and into Europe. According to lore, the abundance of campfire smoke on this route gave the tea a characteristic, prized flavor. Eventually the smoking process moved nearer to the farms themselves, and Lapsang Souchong was created. Souchong denotes older, larger leaves on the tea plant. While the younger buds (or golden tips) are typically most sought-after, this process of smoking older tea leaves created a new phenomenon—now a mainstay of the tea world.
Fortunately, we get to enjoy this tea without hopping on a camel or journeying across Mongolia. If you’re curious to try a smoked tea, Russian Caravan is an ideal place to start.
A made in Montana tea.
Lake Missoula Tea Company commits to direct-sourcing teas and botanicals from sustainable farms. First we choose organic ingredients, and then we create our blends in small batches. In short, we love to drink this stuff, and we’re proud to share with you the tastiest, freshest tea possible. Store away from light and oxygen, and your teas will keep for a good long time.
Absolutely love this tea. I like the history aspect of trying to recreate a tea from the past, and I really like the fact that this tea withstands extended steeps well. I will often get distracted and not be able to come back to a steeping cup for 6 to 10 minutes and this tea doesn’t get undrinkably stringent when this happens. The smoke flavor and aroma can get heavy if you over steep or add too much tea, so be cautious.
Hi Dillon, glad to hear you like our Russian Caravan and that you get multiple steeps from it! If you over steep it, just add some water, the bitterness generally goes away ; ) LMTC
I love most teas, especially bold, black teas, and I was intrigued by this one. Unfortunately, I could not drink it. The smoke was overwhelming. Not just a little smoky but like drinking liquid smoke. Other family members tried it and couldn’t get past the first sip or two. It was even difficult getting the smoke smell out of my infuser. I did manage to find a use for it -to add smokey flavor to soup. Will stick to LMTC’s other excellent teas for drinking.
Hi Sharon,
Our Russian Caravan is smoky and can be an acquired taste ; ) If you like smoky tea, Russian Caravan is the tea for you. Thank you for sharing your experience, LMTC
This is a really good, robust black. I enjoy it with a drop of sugar and lemon juice. Very smooth.
Awesome, glad you like it!
When I have time to brew and drink an entire pot of tea on the weekend…this is the one I love. Reminds me of a campfire. Great with crusty bread, an egg, ham and sharp cheddar!