2026 Floral Lapsang Souchong
Size
Tea Profile
| Tea Type | Red Tea (Hong Cha 红茶) |
|---|---|
| Style | Lapsang Souchong / Zhengshan Xiaozhong 正山小种 |
| Origin | Aotou Village, Jianyang, Fujian Province, China |
| Altitude | Approximately 1000 metres |
| Harvest | April 2026 |
| Cultivar | Mei Zhan 梅占 |
| Picking Standard | Two tender leaves |
Origin and Character
Aotou Village lies within the wider Wuyi mountain environment, where forest cover, rocky soils and frequent mist shape aromatic leaf material.
Mei Zhan is valued for its natural floral fragrance and gentle spice. Used for an unsmoked Lapsang Souchong, it creates a lively but balanced red tea that differs from more traditional Cai Cha-based examples.
Aroma and Flavour
| Aroma | Bright flowers, gentle spice and warm sweetness |
|---|---|
| Liquor | Clear deep golden-red |
| Flavour | Floral, sweet and softly spiced |
| Mouthfeel | Smooth, thick and rounded |
| Finish | Clean, warming and lingering |
✦ The Astraluna Perspective ✦
This tea offers a different way to understand Lapsang Souchong. Without smoke taking the foreground, the leaf itself becomes more visible: floral, softly spiced and shaped by its mountain origin. We chose it for the clarity with which it expresses both cultivar and place. It is a tea for reassessing familiar names, and for discovering that tradition can remain rooted while still revealing something unexpectedly light.
Brewing Notes
| Method | Leaf | Water | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gongfu | 5 g per 100 ml | 95–100°C | 8 sec, then extend gradually |
| Western | 3 g per 250 ml | 95°C | 2½–3 min |
For a complete method, read How to Brew Chinese Red Tea.
Storage
Store airtight in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and strong odours. Its floral character is best enjoyed while fresh and vivid.