Lapsang Souchong Tea

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

Souchong tea is a member of the?Wuyi family of teas. Wuyi is the tea-producing mountainous region of China which manufactures a large family of tea in South-East China. Lapsang souchong black tea was created during the Qing era when the passage of armies delayed the natural annual drying of the tea leaves in the Wuyi Mountain. As a consequence of this, the tea producers of the time sped up the drying process by having their workers dry the tea leaves over fires made from local pines. As a result of the artificial smoke-drying endeavor, the brewed tea developed a unique taste and aroma ? similar to that of barbecue ? that are not found in any other tea brand. This unique aroma of smoked tea highlights the presence of certain chemicals, including longifolene and ?-terpineol, as a consequence of pinewood smoking.

The tea derives its name from two separate words, lapsang and souchong; Lapsang is the area around the village of Tong Mu Guan, in the Fujian province, where this tea was first developed. Souchong refers to the tea leaves that are chosen.

How to Brew Lapsang Souchong Tea

The steps detailed here are for preparation of lapsang souchong loose leaf tea. For brewing the drink from lapsang souchong tea bags, you may follow the steps as indicated on the bags.

1. Fill your container about halfway with hot water to?pre-heat Be sure to let the water spread through all of the containers, then pour out the water.

1. Put about?1 teaspoon of tea leaves per 130 ml of water?into the container.
2. Fill the container with?boiling water.
3. Cover the container and let the tea?steep for 2 minutes.
4. Pour the tea from the container into the teacup, using a sieve to hold back the leaves. Enjoy!

Benefits of Lapsang Souchong Tea

This smoky, delicious tea has many health benefits, chiefly due to its levels of antioxidants. Its caffeine content also helps to improve the body?s metabolic rate and burn fat.

1. Cardiovascular health: The best Lapsang souchong tea blends have been found to increase vasodilation and reduced risk of heart diseases development.
2. Diuretic functions: The aromatic substances in the tea, in synchrony with caffeine, raises the rate of blood flow in the kidney and increases glomerular filtration, thereby reducing the rate of water reabsorption by the kidneys. These functions help to reduce the formation of inflammatory diseases due to cellular retention of water, such as gout.
3. As a weight loss formula: The caffeine ingredient in black teas generally serves to improve the rate of fat breakdown in the body, while slowing their formation.
4. Infection control: Lapsang?s antioxidants are vital substances in the fight against bacteria and some other disease-causing microbes. Furthermore, the tea helps to bolster the immune system, helping the body to effectively prevent infections.
5. The tea also helps to attain reduced levels of blood pressure and blood glucose and acts as a natural sedative.

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