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Named for the 18th century camel caravans that transported teas to Europe from as far-reaching areas as India, China and Ceylon, via Russia, Russian Caravan is a pure China Black tea, made from a wonderful blend of oolong, keemun and lapsang souchong. Offering bold flavours, with a hint of Assam, Russian Caravan produces excellent strong, rich teas.
Our Russian Caravan blend is mixed with a lighter amount of Lapsang Souchong than some others on the market, in order to achieve what we consider to be a great balance of flavours. If you're looking for a strong, smokey tea, we'd recommend our 100% Lapsang Souchong.
Ingredients
Formosa Tea, Chinese Tea, Darjeeling Tea
Allergens
While we try to keep to the strictest standards in our treatment of allergens, please be aware that our factory handles nuts, milk and soy ingredients. Please check our ingredients lists for specific information on each tea.
Your Guide to Russian Caravan Tea
Despite its name, Russian Caravan Tea is a pure China black tea, made from a blend of three tea varieties: Oolong, Keemun and Lapsang Souchong.
The name derives from the caravans of camels that transported teas during the 18th century. These caravans travelled along the Ancient Tea Horse Road from places such as China and India, via Russia, to bring new and exotic teas to European countries. Russian Caravan is a bold, flavoursome tea that offers hints of smokiness, a smooth, mellow aftertaste and a full-bodied finish.
There are also detailed guides available for those who want to learn more about Russian Caravan tea.
Sections
- The History of Russian Caravan Tea
- How Russian Caravan Tea is Produced
- Reviews of Russian Caravan Tea
- FAQs
The History of Russian Caravan Tea
Tea is believed to have first been introduced to Russia in 1638, when Tsar Michael Fedorovich received tea as a gift from Mongolian ruler Altyun-Khan. After the signing of the Treaty of Nerchinsk in 1689, Russians were able to trade in Chinese markets for a wide range of commodities, including tea.
During this time, tea was transported to Europe via camel caravans along a part of the Silk Road known as the Tea Horse Road, travelling from countries such as China and India through Russia. It was during this journey that the tea leaves are said to have taken on the smoky characteristics that Russian Caravan became known for. Nearby campfires, combined with the damp atmosphere of the Mongolian steppe region, caused the leaves to absorb surrounding smoke and develop their unique flavour.
Today, this flavour is reproduced in Russian Caravan black tea through the addition of smoky Lapsang Souchong tea leaves. Along with Lapsang Souchong, Oolong and Keemun teas are blended to create Russian Caravan tea as it is known today.
How Russian Caravan Tea is Produced
Russian Caravan loose leaf tea is made from a combination of three Chinese teas: Oolong, Keemun and Lapsang Souchong.
Oolong, a semi-oxidised tea, is produced through a process in which the leaf is withered under the sun, causing partial oxidation and curling. This process is repeated until the required browning and bruising of the leaves is achieved.
Keemun is a black Chinese leaf tea sourced from Qimen County of Huangshan City.
Lapsang Souchong, which gives Russian Caravan tea its characteristic smoky flavours, is produced through a process of oxidation and smoking. After being withered in the sun or in a heating room, the leaves are laid out on bamboo above wood fires, before being rolled, pan-fired, re-rolled and finally dried in bamboo sieves over smouldering pinewood fires.
Reviews of Russian Caravan Tea
Below is a selection of comments from customers who have enjoyed Russian Caravan Tea.
“A uniquely delicious blend with a wonderful depth of flavour, packed to perfection and delivered within days. Tea Direct are the go to company for quality teas.”
“An old favourite with me.”
“We love this tea. After trying it at a friend's house we were instant converts, and it's completely replaced Earl Grey now.”
“Excellent flavour of Lapsang and Russian Caravan. Drink them without milk and they are delicious. Excellent service too.”
“Magical!”
FAQs
What Does Russian Caravan Tea Taste Like?
The flavours of smoky Russian Caravan tea are created through the balanced blend of Oolong, Keemun and Lapsang Souchong teas, resulting in a full-bodied drink that displays complex woody notes, sweet malty flavours and tobacco-like overtones.
Oolong offers deep raisin and ripe fruit aromas, lingering sweet flavours and smooth fruity notes, while Keemun contributes delicate fruity aromas and a subtly floral fragrance. Lapsang Souchong, applied in a lighter amount than in some other blends, offers distinct smoky aromas and tastes created during the drying process. The complex woody notes that result help recreate the effects of the smouldering campfires lit during those long journeys along the Tea Horse Road.
How Should I Prepare Russian Caravan Loose Leaf Tea?
Russian Caravan loose leaf tea is best made with freshly boiled water, preferably filtered or bottled. Warm a teapot or infuser with boiled water and carefully rinse it a few times. Use one rounded teaspoon per person and allow the leaves to steep for between 3 and 5 minutes, until the tea becomes a delightful copper colour.
Russian Caravan is delicious without milk, but it can also be enjoyed with a drop of milk, a slice of lemon, or even sugar and honey to taste.
Where Can I Buy the Best Russian Caravan Tea?
If you’re looking for high-quality Russian Caravan loose tea, there are excellent varieties available made with a lighter amount of Lapsang Souchong than some others on the market, giving a well-balanced combination of strong and smoky flavours.
We deliver across the UK and to selected EU countries using Royal Mail. Available delivery options and charges are shown at checkout. Our standard delivery service takes 1–2 working days.
Some third-party supplied products may have different delivery times and costs, which will be clearly shown at checkout.
Some equipment may be shipped directly from the manufacturer. Where this applies, full delivery details will be provided at checkout.
All of our teas remain fresh unopened for up to 12 months.