So I found a 4 oz tin of Twining Lapsang Souchong at Big lots for $3, so I thought I'd try it. I opened it up...and dear god it has such a distinctive smell. Drinking some now...not sure how I feel about it yet.
What do you guys think of it? Does anyone else think the smell makes it unappealing?
Nov 4th, '09, 21:06
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Re: Lapsang Souchong
A recent topic. http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9890
Generally, they do not particularly appeal to me, though a good one in the Winter can be nice. I think the better ones are not as overpowering on the smoke. Twinings was the first one I had, it was so bad that it took almost 10 years til I tried another.
Generally, they do not particularly appeal to me, though a good one in the Winter can be nice. I think the better ones are not as overpowering on the smoke. Twinings was the first one I had, it was so bad that it took almost 10 years til I tried another.
Re: Lapsang Souchong
My impression is it tastes like an orange vomited on some perfectly harmless tea.
Re: Lapsang Souchong
Lapsang souchong was my gateway tea and I still enjoy it now even though I wouldn't drink it everyday. The smoke reminds me of a campfire or grilling out which are 2 things I enjoy.
Nov 8th, '09, 14:45
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Joined: Sep 7th, '09, 16:58
Location: British-Columbia, Canada
Re: Lapsang Souchong
Not a huge fan of straight Lapsang Souchong, to me it smells/tastes like liquid BBQ. But I do enjoy milder blends that incorporated it in with other teas, like Russian Caravan.
Re: Lapsang Souchong
I bought a tin of Twining's Lapsang Souchong and I can confirm that it's nasty. The word that comes to mind whenever I open the tin is "acrid". I like a milder no-name Lapsang Souchong from a local specialty store and rapidly increased the percentage in my personal blend from 25% to 100%. I haven't made the jump to actually good stuff yet, I think.
My friends, however, think I'm nuts to consume a liquid that smells like smoke. They won't even take offers of sips. I even turned off most of a gathering when I threw a bit of LS in a mix of whatever black teas I had on hand.
My friends, however, think I'm nuts to consume a liquid that smells like smoke. They won't even take offers of sips. I even turned off most of a gathering when I threw a bit of LS in a mix of whatever black teas I had on hand.
Nov 21st, '09, 21:33
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FredParkerPottery
Re: Lapsang Souchong
A year or so ago I was brewing myself a cup of LS as my visiting 5 year-old step-grandson, a picky eater of the nth order, watched. He had never seen tea other than iced, and so was curious. As I explained he asked if he could try it. I poured him a small cup knowing full well he would have no part of it.
He took the cup, sniffed the LS then tasted. As I waited for him to wretch, he turned it up and drained it -- drank it all! (I can't even do that.)
Now it's one of his favorites. I thought he would like something a little more perfumy, like a scented white with flower petals, orange peel, ginger and the like. He really did not like that at all. I figure he'll turn into a REAL tea lover someday...
Fred
He took the cup, sniffed the LS then tasted. As I waited for him to wretch, he turned it up and drained it -- drank it all! (I can't even do that.)
Now it's one of his favorites. I thought he would like something a little more perfumy, like a scented white with flower petals, orange peel, ginger and the like. He really did not like that at all. I figure he'll turn into a REAL tea lover someday...
Fred
Re: Lapsang Souchong
I think Lapsang Souchong is the kind of tea that often results in strong reactions...most people seem to either love it or hate it...I'm one of the ones that love it
Re: Lapsang Souchong
Good quality Lapsang Souchong (There is lot of bad Lapsang Souchong out there) is delicious. The lovely cozy aroma of a bonfire, but with underlying herbal and sweet notes makes it a wonderful tea to have after dinner or even paired with a mild cheese
Re: Lapsang Souchong
I really do enjoy the taste of the milder ones, but the aroma is usually
unappealing. I have one from the Netherlands that a friend sent me and I dearly love it, but I have to not breath as I bring it near my nose.
unappealing. I have one from the Netherlands that a friend sent me and I dearly love it, but I have to not breath as I bring it near my nose.
Re: Lapsang Souchong
Hey, buy the good stuff if you're going to drink LS - Hu Kwa from Mark T Wendell. By far the best and not too costly. Beyond the smell is a very nice tea.
Re: Lapsang Souchong
I absolutely love Lapsang Souchong, but it seems quite rare to find other fans who can enjoy it as much as I do! A great shame really, because it is such a wonderful tea...
In my own experience, most of the people I've offered it too have found it's smoky flavours too strong!
I was recently recommended to try a "Bohea Lapsang" from Jing, who claim that it has a much weaker flavour... I don't know if that's wise though, since I'm actually quite partial to the strong taste?!
In my own experience, most of the people I've offered it too have found it's smoky flavours too strong!
I was recently recommended to try a "Bohea Lapsang" from Jing, who claim that it has a much weaker flavour... I don't know if that's wise though, since I'm actually quite partial to the strong taste?!
Re: Lapsang Souchong
Generally speaking, the better the lapsang, the less obvious the smoke. The good stuff is fantastic. The Twinings stuff is really not very good at all, and is a very poor representation of what the style can be like. I blogged about this many moons ago
http://marshaln.xanga.com/569348469/a-s ... -souchong/
http://marshaln.xanga.com/569348469/a-s ... -souchong/