Harvest Location: Tongmuguan, Wuyishan, China
Harvest Date: Spring 2022
Cultivar: Xing Cun Xiao Zhong
Dry Leaf: Black tight strips
Flavor: Very light smoke, sweet longan notes
Liquor: Copper
 
Lapsang Souchong aka Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong is a black tea originally from the Wuyi region of the Chinese province of Fujian. Its literal translation is 'Original Mountain Small Kind'.  Only tea leaves picked from the area of Wuyishan Mountain, centering in Tongmuguan can be called "Zheng Shan".  The leaves are traditionally smoke-dried over pinewood fires, taking on a distinctive smoky flavor, although the range of smokiness varies from barely noticeable to extremely smoky.  
We spend an extraordinary amount of time searching for the finest examples of tea categories.  This  zhen shan xiao zhong is a prime example of its namesake, earning the NYTS seal of approval.  It is very lightly smoked which makes it easier to notice the fruity longan notes in the brew.