Caravan is a well-known tea variety, sometimes called Russian Caravan, but it is not one single tea, but rather a tea blend, consisting of a mix of Organic Lapsang Souchong, Assam, and other South Indian black teas. The tea is always smoky in scent and flavor, but not as smoky as pure Lapsang Souchong, which is sometimes too overpowering alone. Our blend is special for our Zum Zum family. It's a strong tea, sharp, and cozy. Perfect for winter days and thoughts of spring. There is a long history involving Caravan tea. Originally, Russian Caravan was not a blended tea at all but the result of a happy accident. More than 300 years ago, China made a trade route, which involved overland transport of tea via horse/camel/mule, from southern China to Moscow. The journey was long, (more than a year, 6,000 kilometer) and resulted in the prepared black tea picking up distinctly smoky overtones from repeated exposure to the nightly campfires when the travellers stopped to eat and rest. That smokiness, unintended at first, came to be appreciated by the Russian consumers. It’s interesting to note that the overland route was thought to be better for the tea flavor than shipment by sea during which the tea would pick up disagreeable scents from the humid ocean air. People grew to love the smoky tea and dubbed it caravan tea. Eventually with the invention of rail travel the old trade routes died out and with them the naturally smoked tea. To compensate tea blenders began to create blends of Lapsang and other black teas to make a comparable version to fill the void. Our Organic Smoked Caravan Tea is our example of our Caravan recipe. Our blend offers an assertive brew with smoky depth and thick notes of malt, with a long flavorful finish. Country of Origin: India + China Ingredients: Premium Organic Black Tea 🛒 Discover a rich and smoky tea with bold character.
