Lapsang Souchong Tea in Singapore
What is Lapsang Souchong made of?
Lapsang Souchong is a type of black tea that is made from large-leaved varieties of Camellia sinensis plants that are grown in the Fujian province of China. It has been used for centuries as a traditional Chinese tea. The leaves are picked from the withering tea tree just before they turn completely brown. It is an expensive black tea, but it has little caffeine content (only about 4% caffeine) and you have to steep it for ages in order to get any effect. Because of this, it’s often drunk after meals or with dessert.
Lapsang souchong is known for its unique, complex and muted flavor as compared to other black teas. Lapsang Souchong tea is considered to be one of the more challenging teas to brew, with an unusual smoky, woody flavor with a hint of pine and an earthy taste with notes of sage, cinnamon, clove, and cardamom. It’s sometimes also described as tasting like incense or camphor wood. Its name literally means “rock lapis,” which refers to the color of the liquid when it cools and settles after brewing.
How Lapsang Souchong Tea Got its Name and Arrived in Singapore
Lapsang Souchong, is from Fujian, China that originated in the Southern provinces of Xiamen and Zhangzhou. The original variant is known as lapsang souchong Huangyanhua (green) Tea. Despite originating from China, Lapsang Souchong is said to be named after the village of L’Apsoune located in France near the border with Switzerland where it was first produced.
In 1885, Lapsang Souchong was first introduced to Singapore by Dr. Theodore Folkertsz who served as the Assistant Colonial Botanist at Singapore Botanic Gardens. Dr. Folkertsz was an avid tea drinker during his travels in China where he discovered Lapsang Souchong at some point during his journey. This unique tea has a strong and appealing flavor that lingers for long, making it perfect for him whenever he wanted a break from his daily routine or was on his way to work.
How Much Does Lapsang Souchong Tea in Singapore Cost?
Lapsang Souchong Tea can cost anywhere from $0.50 to $14 a cup in Singapore. It varies depending on the store but it’s often cheaper than teas like Earl Grey and English Breakfast which can cost up to $8 or more per cup. There are many factors that determine the cost of Lapsang Souchong Tea in Singapore but one of them is whether the tea will be loose leaf or bagged, whether it has been blended or simple, and whether it’s organic or not.
Where to buy Lapsang Souchong Tea in Singapore?
Lapsang Souchong Tea is only one of the many varieties of black teas available in Singapore. This type, however, has gained popularity because it tastes great with food and can be brewed into a variety of different drinks- including iced tea and buns. Lapsang Souchong Tea can be found in many major supermarkets like NTUC Fairprice, but it can also be at specialty tea shop locations and online for cheaper prices.