tea.ceo How to brew lapsang souchong
Lapsang souchong is the tea people either ask for by name or never order twice. It is a black tea from Fujian, in south-east China, whose oxidised leaves are cured over smoking pine-log fires. The smoke goes into the leaf, and into the cup: rich and malty underneath, campfire on top.
The short version
About 3 g of leaf to 240–300 ml of water (8–10 fl oz), at 90–95°C (194–203°F), for two to five minutes. That is the guidance of Imperial Tea Court, which sells it.
Water
Just off the boil, at 90–95°C, rather than at a rolling boil.
Time
Start at two minutes and taste, then go longer for a stronger cup, up to five.
Gongfu style
Lapsang also suits the small-pot method: more leaf, a small teapot or a gaiwan, and short infusions, each a little longer than the last. If you use a Yixing clay pot, keep one for lapsang alone, because unglazed clay holds on to the smoke and passes it to every tea brewed in it afterwards.
Re-steeping
The same leaves give several cups. Lengthen each steep gradually as the leaf opens and gives up less.
Milk or not
Either: taken plain, the smoke is at its clearest, and milk softens it. For the plain black teas, see how to brew black tea; for another Chinese tea made for many small infusions, how to brew oolong.
The commonest mistake with lapsang is treating it as a strong breakfast tea and leaving the bag in. The smoke is already strong at two minutes, and past five it turns bitter rather than richer. Make the first cup short and lengthen from there. A good lapsang should taste of tea first and smoke second; if the smoke is all there is, the leaf is a poor one, and no brewing will fix it.
How to brew lapsang souchong: questions
What temperature should lapsang souchong be brewed at?
90–95°C (194–203°F): just off the boil.
How long should lapsang souchong steep?
Two to five minutes. Start at two, taste, and go longer for a stronger cup.
How much tea do I use?
About 3 g of leaf to 240–300 ml of water.
Why does lapsang souchong taste smoky?
Its leaves are cured over smoking pine-log fires in Fujian, and the smoke stays in the leaf.
Source: Imperial Tea Court, Lapsang Souchong checked against the source
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