Russian Caravan Tea appreciation thread

[edkrueger]

I second.

[Ti]

I used to like that Twinings Russian Caravan but they don't sell it around here any more. Someone here suggested I try here http://www.uptontea.com/shopcart/item.a ... egoryID=40
I called to order last week and they were closed for vacation.

[tenuki]

Hey, I like appreciating things, could someone post some instructions on getting / making Russian Caravan so I can join you?

thanks!

[rodstnmn]

In honor of the Russian Caravan Tea appreciation thread I picked up a sample at my local tea shop. They had a smokey and a non- smokey version and I chose the non-smokey. On the package they mentioned a blend of 4 teas, Assam, Keemun, Chinese Lichee tea, and Lapsang Souchong.

This is an interesting blend, which I'll be keeping around to have when the mood strikes.
I used 1 heaping tsp.(3gr), 8 oz cup, full boil, 3 min. This was strong but okay.
2nd infusion, same time and amount, was weaker, but with lichee flavoring coming out.
My local vendor is:
http://www.distinctlytea.com/

[edkrueger]

Rodstnmn Russian caravan is nothing like what I was thinking of. Mine is a blend of Lapsang Souchong [Wuyi] blended with some other chinese tea(s) [I think mine is Wuyi or Yunnan.]

Here is a Wiki Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Caravan

Here is a creation story: http://www.peets.com/shop/tea_detail.as ... 1&cid=2003
[Though it only mentions the legend and not the more believable creation story]

Here is my source: https://www.thepathoftea.com/tea_shop1.htm#73

[Thirsty Daruma]

EdKrueger's Russian Caravan is the Russian Caravan I've always been familiar with. Actually, the Lapsang is so prominent that I occasionally have difficulty convincing myself it's a blend of any kind. I don't mind, smoky is good, but it goes to show how these brutally dark flavors can sort of meld.

[JM]

I've never ordered tea online and known of the local stores carry Russian Caravan...I'm dying to try it. A friend of mine said he picked some up somewhere so I'll have to ask him where he got it.

[kymidwife]

I've never ordered tea online and known of the local stores carry Russian Caravan...I'm dying to try it. A friend of mine said he picked some up somewhere so I'll have to ask him where he got it.

Not sure which local stores you might shop from, but thought I would share this information. I bought some Russian Caravan in a mall-chain kitchen store that sells loose leaf tea (I think it was Kitchen Accents)... and it was just terrible... as were the other 2 teas I bought there. They smelled good, but the flavor was dreadful.

My RC from Upton's was very nice... that's the only other one I've tried so far.

Sarah

[hop_goblin]

If all fails try splashing a couple of drops of liquid smoke in a cuppa of Keemum! Kidding.. I like the stuff as well.

[paisleymonsoon]

Of course, I'm drinking Russian Caravan as I stumbled across this thread.

I find that I like Russian Caravan better than Lapsang Souchang because the smokey flavor is more subtle. It's definitely one of my must-have-on-hand favorites.

[Yaanon]

Bump!

I too love a nice cup of Russian Caravan. The aroma brings back nice memories of a particularly large wildfire we had in San Diego when I lived there. Does anyone else recommend any good sites for Russian Caravan? The best I've had was from a little tea shop in Lititz, Pennsylvania and I've been ordering it from theteatable.com since then which is just okay. Any other recommendations?

[omegapd]

Upton's Tea has a few different ones you can sample.

http://www.uptontea.com/