Upton Baker Street Afternoon - Lapsang Souchong?

Yes.

I second Rebecca's comment. I bought some Rusian Caravan from Holy Mountain because I had never had Russian Caravan before and whew...reminded me of when I smoke my fish in the summer, lol. A little of that goes a really long way for me. Even brewed it isn't something I like very often. But some people rave about it...each to their own. :)

Melinda

You took the word right out of my mouth.

Well, not necessarily. I have a high grade Lapsang Souchong from Fujian, China where the smoky taste is rather subdued and balances very well with the more floral/malty notes of the tea-leaves themselves.

Very different from those LSs which tastes like a chest of bad tea that has been rescued from a forest fire.

Lars (Bergen, Norway)

snipped-for-privacy@adelphia.com/6/05

Resa,

Quite so, and right on all counts. If you like it, fine; if you don't, try Keemun without the rest.

Michael

Thanks - will try Keemun. Enough said! :)

Resa

Thank you all for your posts. I now know to avoid Lapsang Souchong, or to proceed with great caution. Thanks!!

Resa

LOL - based on tasting this tea, "none" would go a really long way for me.

Does Russian Caravan typically have LS as one of the teas? I've tried one from Upton (TB70 - Finest Russian Caravan) and there wasn't any smoky taste or scent at all. I liked it, but if this isn't typical of a Russian Caravan tea, I'll know to be careful buying it elsewhere. Thanks!

Resa

I've seen some gourmet RC masked by heavy vanilla. It's not even gourmet you take a cheap piney smoky RC and add vanilla and sell it for more money. It'll smell and taste like a sweet chocolate.

Jim

Serendip wrote:

Thanks - I think I'd just stick with hot cocoa then! :)

The Upton RC tasted like English Breakfast, but a bit mellowwer.

Resa

ROTFL - you crack me up!

Yes.

Yes, it can be although I've had milder LS that can be enjoyed on its own. When I was experimenting with blending my own Prince of Wales, I found that using more than 2 leaves per cup blew it for me.

Typically, yes.

And Darjeeling.

I've been through periods in my life where I like it, but it is like drinking smoked bacon flavored tea. Might go well with lye-cured cod for all I know.

I really don't know...I have sort of picked up the same thing, that some RC does and some doesn't have smoke. I guess you would have to ask each vendor about their products to be sure. I knoew I was getting a smoky, I just didn't expect it to be THAT smoky, and it seemed (though my memory could be flawed) that it was as smoky as my first (and to date) last Lapsang, which was from...I think it was from Upton. (I didn't mind that LS at that point, I rather liked it as a sample though)

I could probably take it in small doses in the winter, and maybe I would mix it in with some other tea...but only occasionally. :D

Melinda

The Wuyi lapsang from Harney and Sons is like this; even my smoky tea hating friends like it.

Quite; but ones that taste like good tea rescued from a forest fire can still be overwhelming.

N.

Indeed.

Usually when a tea is more smoky, i.e. longjing, it means it's a little bit older. The more fresh stuff, and higher grades are usually more smooth.

Indeed.

Usually when a tea is more smoky, i.e. longjing, it means it's a little bit older. The more fresh stuff, and higher grades are usually more smooth.