I was today years old* when I learned that not all lapsang souchong is smoked. In a past life I would’ve hesitated to admit such ignorance, but I’m trying to embrace vulnerability and humility, so here we are!
This sample came from a TTB last year, and this morning seemed like the time to give it a whirl. I was so surprised — and a smidge disappointed — when I tore open the packet and didn’t get a whiff of smokiness! As it turns out, though, I’m absolutely LOVING this tea. For the first time, I really understand all those tasting notes I’ve seen on here that reference sweet potato. Amazing!
The scent here is caramelized sugar sweet with a teensy hint of wet dog, but not really in a bad way. The taste is earthy sweet potato and the ground after a rainstorm.
I love how it’s both earthy and light, with absolutely no astringency or dryness (and I say that as an avowed lover of tannins).
I’m finishing my first cuppa while going through morning work emails, etc., and wishing I’d given myself a little more time to enjoy this tea without distraction. The first few sips were blissfully taken in bed with a book, but then it was time to log on for work. I’ll squeeze at least one more steep out of these leaves, and then I still have another cup’s worth in the sample packet.
Thank you to whoever threw this sample into last year’s Steepster TTB! What a treasure.
*Apparently “today years old” is a terribly millennial phrase. Welp, I AM A MILLENNIAL. Deal with it.
Flavors: Caramelized Sugar, Sweet Potatoes, Wet Dog, Wet Earth
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Come over to the dark side with the rest of us geezers! And bring a cup of this with you!
I love love love this tea.
gmathis, I’ve always been a geezer at heart!
ashmanra, it’s SO good!
As for embracing vulnerability and humility – it was just a few years ago that I did the “unsmoked lapsang?” double take with this very tea and had to google what lapsang and souchong actually meant, because I thought it had to be smoked to be called that! So there is my ignorance exposed! Isn’t it fun to learn new things?
Come over to the dark side with the rest of us geezers! And bring a cup of this with you!
I love love love this tea.
gmathis, I’ve always been a geezer at heart!
ashmanra, it’s SO good!
As for embracing vulnerability and humility – it was just a few years ago that I did the “unsmoked lapsang?” double take with this very tea and had to google what lapsang and souchong actually meant, because I thought it had to be smoked to be called that! So there is my ignorance exposed! Isn’t it fun to learn new things?