"Xiao Zhong" is one of the oldest tea varieties. The technological peculiarity of the processing is withering and prolonged heating on pine tree coals, during this process the tea leaves are infused with resinous aroma which earned its first name "Lao Song Xiao Zhong", "Old Pine - Rare Grade". English transliteration is "Lapsang Souchong", so the English hear the Chinese "Lao Song Xiao Zhong". This tea became popular in Europe in the eighteenth century and this fact determined its export and the development of tea business. Ready-made tea has a bright, smoked flavor, so its Chinese name is "Yan Xun" or "Smoked". Manufactured in Tongmuguan nature reserve area (Wuyishan County, Fujian province).
The dry tea consists of thin, delicate spiral leaves of black-brown colors. The aroma is spicy, with resinous and smoked tones. The infusion is clear of very light nut tone.
The bouquet of brewed tea is warm and rich, with smoky resinous, pine and berry tones. The taste is full-bodied and juicy, delicate, with slight sour nuance. The aroma is warm, smoky resinous. The aftertaste is expressive and long lasting.
Brew tea with hot boiling water (95°C) in a porcelain gaiwan or a teapot of porous clay. The proportion is 4-5 g per 100 ml. The first infusion should last for 10 seconds. The time of the first steeping is about 10 seconds. After that do short steeps (just for 5-6 seconds), increasing steeping time for each subsequent step, if necessary. You can steep the tea up to 9 times.
This is gorgeous ceremonial tea for the cold part of the year, for solemn occasion or special tea mood. It has elegant, exquisite taste and relaxing, heating and meditative effect.
