Russian Caravan Tea, Smokey Black Tea – TeaLovers

Russian Caravan tea is a tea steeped in history. Described as a dark and malty black tea that has been infused with the flavour of smoke. Russian Caravan tea is commonly a blend of oolong, keemun, and lapsang souchong teas. Some varieties do not include lapsang souchong, and thus have a less smoky flavour, while others include assam tea. Some describe Russian Caravan tea to have flavour notes of tobacco, chocolate, firewood, charcoal and smoke. To some this may sound rather terrible, however it is the perfectly blended malty black tea with earthy smoke character that creates a satisfying flavour of warmth & comfort - that has tea drinkers coming back for more.

The origin and creation of what we now know as Russian Caravan tea has quite a story steeped in history. Similar to the Chinese legend of how a Buddhist monk first discovered tea when tea leaves fell into a pot of boiling water - Russian caravan tea also has its own accidental discovery. Along the Sino-Russian trade route in the 1600’s where goods were carted from Imperial China through Mongolia to Russia, there were mile-long camel caravans loaded with tea that made their journeys. A ‘camel caravan’ is a series of camels carrying passengers and goods on a regular or semi-regular service between points. The caravans would travel along cold, snow-covered roads, and would frequently stop for rests around campfires. With the tea loaded on camels sitting quite close to the fires, the tea leaves absorbed the smoke flavour. When the tea eventually arrived in Russia, tea drinkers noticed the new smoky character and quite enjoyed the taste – Leading to the official creation and demand for Russian Caravan Tea.

Coincidently after the discovery of Russian Caravan tea in Russia, in China during the Qing Dynasty a new smoky black tea called Lapsang Souchong was also discovered. ‘Lapsang Souchong’ meaning a black tea smoked over pine wood fire. To this day both Russian Caravan tea and Lapsang Souchong tea are well enjoyed all across the world.

Russian Caravan tea is one of Tea Lovers best selling classic black teas. Other classic black teas include English Breakfast Superior, fruity French Earl Grey, Earl Grey Supreme bergamot, Irish Breakfast Superior, Madam Grey citrus & Prince of Wales oriental blend. Tea Lovers sells over 200 varieties of single origin green and black teas, as well as delicious flavoured teas, gourmet fruit infusions, dessert teas and herbal & wellness tea blends. To discover their gourmet leaf tea range you must visit TeaLovers.com.au.