ValleyGreenTea

Lapsang Souchong unsmoked

$19.80 AUD

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50g
100g

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Lapsang Souchong (Unsmoked) — The Natural Wu-Yi Black Tea

Also known as: Unsmoked Lapsang Souchong, Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong, 正山小种

All the character of a classic Lapsang Souchong — without the smoke.

This is the same original Wu-Yi black tea, but left unsmoked, so what comes through is its natural sweetness: flowers, Chinese dates, and a smooth, mellow body.

If the smoky version isn't for you, this is Lapsang Souchong as the leaf itself tastes.

What Is Unsmoked Lapsang Souchong?

Lapsang Souchong is one of the world's original black teas, from the Wu-Yi mountains of Fujian — the birthplace of black tea, created over 400 years ago. Traditionally it's dried over pine, which gives it that famous smoky aroma.

This one skips the smoking. Everything else is the same — the same hardy Wu-Yi bush, the same full, twisted, dark-red leaves — but without the pinewood smoke, the tea's own natural character takes centre stage.

What It Tastes Like

Smooth, sweet and mellow.

Freed from the smoke, unsmoked Lapsang Souchong shows its gentler side: a natural floral fragrance, the sweetness of Chinese dates, and a rounded, easy-drinking body. It's rich and warming without the campfire — a lovely everyday black tea that's easy to fall for.

The Perfect Match: A Yixing Zisha Teapot

A smooth, full black tea like this belongs in a Yixing Zisha teapot.

The unglazed clay holds heat, rounds out the body and gathers up all that natural flower-and-date sweetness — a fuller, mellower cup than porcelain can give.

Where Lapsang Souchong Sits in the World of Chinese Black Tea

Four of our most-loved Chinese black teas — see the difference in the cup:

Modern varieties recently created, and much loved

Variety	Origin	Aroma	Taste	Our teas
Jin Jun Mei Golden Eyebrow · 2005	Wu-Yi, Fujian	Delicate honey and fruit, like lychee and longan	Refined, full and smooth; golden cup	Jin Jun Mei
Ying Hong No.9 bred 1988	Guangdong	Rich, high and fragrant	Mellow and smooth, low astringency; deep red	Ying Hong No.9

Traditional classics

Variety	Origin	Aroma	Taste	Our teas
This tea Lapsang Souchong the original black tea	Wu-Yi, Fujian	Smoky pinewood, flower and date	Bold, warming, longan-sweet; deep amber	Smoked · Unsmoked (this tea)
Keemun world's top three	Anhui	Orchid and rose "Keemun fragrance"	Silky, gently sweet; bright red	Keemun
Dian Hong Yunnan red, golden-tipped	Yunnan	Honey, longan, hint of pine	Full, smooth, honey-sweet; orange-red	Yunnan Golden Tips · Gu Shu Dian Hong

Smoked or Unsmoked?

We carry Lapsang Souchong both ways:

Unsmoked (this one) — no pine smoke, all natural flower-and-date sweetness. The easy, approachable way in.
Smoked — the traditional style, dried over pine. Bold, smoky, iconic.

Brew this Unsmoked Lapsang Souchong the right way

— check out our professional Brewing Guide, Storage Care and The Origins below 👇

🍵 Brewing Guide

How to Brew Unsmoked Lapsang Souchong

Unsmoked Lapsang Souchong is a full-leaf black tea that loves heat — near-boiling water brings out its natural flower-and-date sweetness.

The Vessel: Zisha Pot, Gaiwan or Glass?

Our Recommendation: a Yixing Zisha teapot. Unglazed clay is the classic match for a full black tea — it holds the heat and rounds out the sweet, mellow body beautifully.
The Gaiwan: the traditional all-rounder, with close control over the pour.
The Glass Tea Infuser: all glass, so you can watch the amber liquor build.

Follow this ritual for the perfect cup:

Temperature: 95–100°C. A full black tea wants hot, near-boiling water.
Leaf to water: about 5g to 110ml.
Step 1 – Warm the Vessel: Rinse with hot water and discard.
Step 2 – The Inhale: Add the leaves, shake gently, and breathe in the natural flower-and-date fragrance.
Step 3 – The Awakening: A quick 5-second rinse to wake the leaves, then pour off.
Step 4 – The Infusion: Pour the hot water high and full, letting the leaves tumble.
Step 5 – Timing:

1st and 2nd brews: 10–15 seconds.
Each brew after: add about 5–10 seconds. Good for many steeps.

Master's Tip: Like its smoky sibling, unsmoked Lapsang takes milk well — though it's lovely enough to enjoy straight.

📦 Storage & Care

Storage Care for Unsmoked Lapsang Souchong

Unsmoked Lapsang Souchong keeps well and is easy to look after.

Room temperature is best. Keep it somewhere cool, dry and dark. No need to refrigerate.
Keep it sealed. Store it airtight, away from air and moisture, to hold its natural sweetness. A Tea Bag Sealer is handy for resealing between sessions.
Away from light and smells. An opaque tin or sealed jar protects it best. Keep it clear of coffee, spices and anything strongly scented.

🌿 The Origins

The Origins of Unsmoked Lapsang Souchong

Home — Wu-Yi: Grown in the Wu-Yi mountains of Fujian, south-east China — the birthplace of black tea, and the same famous home as Wu-Yi Rock Tea (oolong).
The Original Black Tea: Lapsang Souchong was created over 400 years ago and is widely regarded as the world's first black tea.
The Craft — Unsmoked: Made from a hardy local Wu-Yi bush and finished without the traditional pinewood smoking, so its natural flower-and-date character comes through clean and clear.
VGT Sourcing: For 18 years, Valley Green Tea has been a trusted place to buy authentic loose leaf Chinese tea online in Australia. We buy new-season stock and air-freight it fresh to Sydney. Explore the rest of our black tea collection.

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