Russian Caravan Tea

Russian Caravan teas are blends of smoky black tea that yields a dark red infusion. There are many different blends that claim to be Russian Caravan; most start with Lapsang Souchong or a any number of unspecified black teas, but others use China or Formossa oolongs as a base.

Originally this tea was imported from China to Russia in large bricks of tea. On the year long overland passage from the Usk Kayakhta to St. Petersburg, the tea picked up the smoke of the campfires that gave the tea its distinctive character.

The infusion that results is normally has a heavy body and smoky flavor. Russian Caravan is robust enough to hold up to the addition of milk, but Russians preferred to add sugar if anything to the infusion.