What is Zheng Shan (Lapsang Souchong)?
What is Zheng Shan (Lapsang Souchong)?
Rumoured to be the first black tea ever created, Zheng Shan is also known as Lapsang Souchong (pronounced lap-song shway-shong) and Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong (pronounced jen shan). It is one of the most popular teas in China, and for good reason. This black tea has a wonderful smokey taste and has an array of health benefits.
What is The First Black Tea Ever Created?
Lapsong Souchong Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong.
At the time of black tea’s creation, green tea and oolong tea were the only tea varieties produced in China. Chinese legend has it that solders travelling through Wuyi mountain valley stopped to rest at a tea farmer’s house and spent the night sleeping on tea leaves that were drying outside.
The tea farmer, not wanting to cause trouble, hid in his house and therefore was unable to tend his tea. When the soldiers left the next morning, the tea had completely oxidised, turned black and was considered at that point ruined.
Trying to make something out of it, the tea farmer rolled and then fried the tea over pine. Pine was used because there was an abundance of it in their village and is what gives Zheng Shan its signature aromas, flavours and smokiness.
RELATED READING: How is Black Tea Made?
Local villagers refused to buy or drink this tea, so the tea farmer took it to a tea market where he sold it for a cheap price to an exporter to get rid of it. The English came across this supposedly ruined tea and fell in love with it. They loved the taste, smell and how it cut through oily foods, so they demanded more of it, skyrocketing it’s popularity!
How Do You Pronounce Zheng Shan (Lapsang Souchong)?
Zheng Shan is pronounced [JEN] + [SHAN]
Lapsang Souchong is pronounced [LAP] + [SONG] + [SHWAY] + [SHONG]
What Does Zheng Shan Taste Like?
Zheng Shan black tea is a unique tea variety with woody, chocolate and nutty notes. It has been smoked to augment the elegant black tea flavour and provide a slightly toasty aroma.
What Are The Health Benefits of Zheng Shan?
In Chinese culture this tea is believed to relieve stomach ulcers, lower the risk of heart disease, aid digestion, boost the immune system, reduce tooth decay and increase metabolism.
How to Brew Zheng Shan
Water temperature: 90-100 degrees
Amount: 2g per 250 mL water
Steeping time: 3-5 minutes
Approx. refills: 2-3 times
Serving suggestion: drink hot.
Recipes Using Zheng Shan
Use it in a spice blend for a meat rub. Crush with paprika, red pepper, black pepper & garlic salt.
Add its concentrated liquor to sauces & marinades to enhance their flavour and give them a smokey taste.
Zheng Shan Food Pairings
Mexican dishes, dark/blackened meats and dark chocolate. Zheng Shan tastes amazing with any dish with strong flavours.
RELATED READING: The Ultimate Tea & Food Pairing Guide
If you enjoyed this blog post, found it useful, have any questions or just want to say hello, be sure to leave a comment below! I love hearing from you and will get back to you as soon as possible.
SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST & RECEIVE 10% OFF
READ SIMILAR BLOG POSTS
-
Know Your Tea Types
- Jun 21, 2022 What is Pine Needle Herbal Tea?
- Apr 7, 2020 What is Black Wolfberry?
- Mar 11, 2020 What is Zheng Shan (Lapsang Souchong)?
- Feb 26, 2020 What is Hibiscus Herbal Tea?
- Sep 12, 2019 What is Tie Guan Yin?
-
Tea Education
- Jun 28, 2022 5 Teas for Soothing Sore Throats & Coughs | Cold & Flu Teas
- Jun 27, 2022 6 Wonderful Things You Can Do With Black Wolfberry
- Mar 3, 2022 6 Healthy Herbal Teas To Relieve Common Pains
- Feb 10, 2022 7 Cool Things You Can Do With Hibiscus Flowers
- Aug 17, 2021 How Long To Steep Tea and Why: A Guide
- Mar 24, 2020 Stress Relief: The 7 Best Teas for Stress & Relaxation
- Mar 4, 2020 8 Awesome Things You Can Do with Butterfly Pea Flower
- Feb 5, 2020 The Ultimate Tea & Food Pairing Guide
- Dec 21, 2019 Microplastics in Tea Bags: Why our Tea Bags are Better
- Sep 26, 2019 Breakfast Tea Guide: What Tea Should I Have With Breakfast?
- Sep 2, 2019 Tea vs Tisane
- Aug 28, 2019 How is Black Tea Made?
-
Tea Recipes
- Jun 27, 2022 6 Wonderful Things You Can Do With Black Wolfberry
- Feb 10, 2022 7 Cool Things You Can Do With Hibiscus Flowers
- Mar 4, 2020 8 Awesome Things You Can Do with Butterfly Pea Flower
- Mar 4, 2020 Hibiscus Sangria: Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic
Zheng Shan black tea is a unique tea variety with woody, chocolate and nutty notes. It has been smoked to augment the elegant black tea flavour and provide a slightly toasty aroma. Zheng Shan means 'Authentic mountain small tea plant". Classified as a Lapsang Souchong tea.
The health benefits
This tea is believed to relieve stomach ulcers, lower the risk of heart disease, reduce tooth decay and increase metabolism.
To find out more about Zheng Shan, click here.
What you get
50g loose leaf zheng shan
HOW TO BREW
Water temperature: 90-100 degrees
Amount: 2-5g per 250mL water
Steeping time: 2-4 minutes
Approx. refills: 2-3 times
Serving suggestion: Drink hot
Ingredients: black tea
Grown in China, Fujian Province
The perfect set for sharing tea with friends and family! Stylish and sleek, it isn’t a surprise this is our best selling tea set.
What it’s made from
100% Clay. Clay is the perfect material for black or pu-erh tea. It helps to neutralise any tea impurities, helping to amplify tea flavour and aroma. A frequently used clay teapot will make any water run through it taste like tea!
What you get
x1 clay tea pot with filter behind spout
x4 clay teacups
Capacity & volume
Teapot: 250mL
Tea cups: 30mL
Use & care instructions
Empty leaves once teapot is no longer in use. Hand wash with warm water (no soap) followed by a quick rinse with hot water. Avoid using soap as this may affect the clay properties.