Is Smoked Black Tea Any Good?

I was strolling through a cozy little tea shop, lost in the aisle of black teas, when something unusual caught my eye. There, nestled among the more familiar blends, was a smoked black tea. Now, as someone who enjoys rich smoky flavors, I was immediately intrigued. I had to pick it up. It was like finding an unexpected gem in a sea of classics, and I knew in that moment it would be worth a try. Welcome back to Beyond the Bag. Smoked black tea is known for its bold and deep flavors. My particular blend is made up primarily of Lapsing Souchong and Assam, two very robust black teas. Lapsing Souchong is unique because unlike most black teas, it is dried over pine wood smoke, which infuses it with a complex smoky flavor. This smokiness is present but balanced, not too subtle and yet not overpowering. To counterbalance these flavors, a touch of Pu-erh has been added to this blend. Pu-erh is earthy and helps to mellow out the natural bitterness found in the other black teas. The result is a harmonious combination of smoky, earthy, and slightly sweet notes. The ideal steeping time for this tea is two to three minutes, with the water just shy of boiling. Any longer and you risk drying out the bitter elements, which can overpower the more enjoyable flavors. Done right, this tea is beautifully balanced, offering a unique tasting experience with each sip. When it comes to enjoying this smoked black tea, I find that it's best enjoyed freshly brewed without any additions. In my experience, adding milk or cream tends to clash with the tea's smoky flavor and earthy profile, and even sugar doesn't quite complement its complex flavors. The beauty of this tea really shines when it is enjoyed black, allowing those smoky, rich, and slightly sweet notes to take center stage. Now, while I haven't tried this tea as a cold brew yet, it could be an interesting experiment. If that is something you'd like to see, feel free to let me know down in the comments below. Who knows, it might even be worth subscribing and ringing the bell so you don't miss it if I do. After all, there's always more to discover in the world of tea. Cheers! Thanks for watching. If you liked the video, please give us a thumbs up. Don't forget to subscribe so you won't miss any of our future videos. You can also find additional content on our social media and blog.