I recently got back from an awesomely manly weekend camping trip so I was delighted to receive a request for a good Lapsang Souchong recommendation. I used to brew up this type of tea at work and it was funny how it would always get the same reactions — the guys would walk into the kitchen and perk up from the campfire smell and the ladies would make a sour face. I’ve seen that sour face on countless women who’ve been dragged to a Rush concert and it spells trouble. Of course there are plenty of women who love Rush (I’ve met two) and plenty who love a good cup of Lapsang Souchong, including our requester, so here you go:
Both of my recommendations come from Peet’s Coffee & Tea. They’re a big chain out West but unlike Starbuck’s they’ve always been great and still are. I really like them, their coffee rocks and they have tons of great tea. Their Lapsang Souchong is by no means subtle, but if really smoky tea is what you want, this is it. Sometimes I find it can be a bit much so along the same lines try their Russian Caravan which is a nice, very full bodied blended black tea with enough smokiness to satisfy most Lapsang Souchong fans. It’s one of my favorites.
Tags: review
[...] The Andrews & Dunham Smoky Tea « Damn Fine Tea Blog damnfinetea.com/blog/2009/03/smoky-tea/comment-page-1/#comment-10 – view page – cached I recently got back from an awesomely manly weekend camping trip so I was delighted to receive a request for a good Lapsang Souchong recommendation. — From the page [...]
I have loved Lapsong Souchong for over 35 years. It was my introduction to “real teas” I esp. love Mark T. Wendell’s version, but also many of the offerings from other merchants. I have only had one I hated – from Upton’s several years ago. My husband said it tasted like it was brewed from an ashtray – an old ashtray. Fortunately it was only a sample and it’s been discontinued. Taste lingered for over an hour – had to buy some espresso to get rid of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[...] The Andrews & Dunham Smoky Tea « Damn Fine Tea Blog [...]
Thanks for the recommend! Ordering some tonight. May do a comparison… Spouse has ideas of trying Kusmi and maybe a couple of others.
I am everywhere.
Even in your IMs.
Be very afraid.
Lainie: Don’t think we haven’t discussed a Rush-based series! Have you been sitting in our our company IMs? ; )
Lapsang Souchong is great with Gentleman’s Relish spread on buttered toast.
In any case, I heartily recommend that you fine gentlemen base your next tea series on Rush songs: Y’know, pair ‘em up with a different song each.
I dare you.
When I read Lainie’s tweet about grizzled men and campfires, the first words that sprang to mind were “lapsang souchong”. The reason being that the fur trappers in James Michener’s gorgeous book Centennial drank lapsang souchong. Pasquinel and oh shoot what’s the other fella’s name? In the first third of the novel they talked at length about this tea. So mark it down, folks. This tea makes a cameo appearance in a sweeping gigantic novel and the two week miniseries of the same name. You heard it here.
SW
Lainie rocks! I forgot to recommend a Rush song to enjoy with these teas. Passage to Bangkok seems like the obvious choice.
Lainie: You caught the p/g tour! Fantastic. I’ve seen them every tour since Presto.
I wonder what kind of tea Geddy drinks?
Gosh, I’ve always liked Rush. Went to see them in concert when they were on the Grace Under Pressure tour.
I like Lapsang Souchong, too.
Hrm.
Seriously. Two women who like Rush? Wow.
You’re right about Lapsang Souchong, though. It is the smell of burning. And I’m a girl (or woman, to be all PC about it.)