Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong
The rare, original Lapsang Souchong
Classically Smoked
Organic

• Tong Mu, Wu Yi Shan

• Fujian Province, China

• Fully-oxidized, smoked during manufacture

• Slender leaf of even size, no tip

• Slight smokiness, rich deep 'oaky' flavor

• Toasty exotic aromatics, like catching a whiff of smoke in the forest

• Dark amber liquor tinged burgundy

Organic ‘Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong’, the authentic and original (i.e. historic) ‘Lapsang Souchong’, is a fine-leaf tea that is rarely available outside of China.

Genuine Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong is produced in one protected, natural area deep in mountains located in the WuYi Shan region. This tea is fired and smoked in a cluster of smoking sheds that manufacture a very limited quantity of this unique tea.

On our most recent tea-sourcing trip to eastern China, we were granted the special permission necessary to visit this restricted area where Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong is produced. The tea bushes that yield the leaf for Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong grow in a natural habitat in the vicinity of the smoking sheds.

See the story of our visit to these fascinating sheds in our book: The Story of Tea: A Cultural History and Drinking Guide, Ten Speed Press 2007.

Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong is elegant, light and exotic, rather than the assertively smoky (or ‘tarry) Lapsang Souchong of export that we offer two choces of - one from Taiwan and another that is also from Fujian.

Although a fully-oxidized tea, Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong is one of the few Black teas that can usually be re-infused for a second cup, depending on the duration of the first infusion.

Use 1 generous teaspoon per 6 oz of water
Steep 1 infusion at 3-5 minutes, try re-steeping as noted above.
Water temperature should be 190˚ - 200˚ F