Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong, Spring 2024 harvest of wild cai cha (native variety) bushes grown without human interference aka Yefang cha. A smoked red tea (Chinese black tea), more widely known by its catchy name "Lapsang Souchong." Unlike the vast majority of commercial smoked black tea in the market, this is the original smoked red tea from the original town of Tongmu Guan, the birthplace of black tea in the Wuyi mountains, Fujian province, China [UNESCO World Heritage Site].

Entirely handmade, this extremely high-grade tea is produced using a traditional pinewood smoking method that accompanies the withering and drying stages. The leaves are hand-picked from round-shaped tea bushes following a 400-year-old local tradition. The repeated pinewood smoking process gives the tea its signature layered profile—subtle smokiness with notes of dark chocolate.

We find this edition of ZSXZ flawless, among the finest we've come across in the past decade. Those who follow the brewing instructions and use well-filtered water (recommended TDS: 15-35ppm) will enjoy a dynamic and refined experience of a complex and exceptional red tea. The smokiness softens with each steep, never overwhelming the tea’s bittersweet flavors, and gradually gives way to a delicate tangy finish.

This batch of tea was tested by us in EUROFINS labs in Taiwan against 539 pesticides and found completely clean of pesticides (uncertified organic tea).

A unique tea profile, suitable for drinking all year round, at any time of day. Unlike other generic smoked black tea in the market, this is the original source and traditional craft of Lapsang Souchong made by a renowned tea master honored by the goernment for his exceptional protection of the forest land he owns.