How to Brew Organic Lapsang Souchong Black Tea
By Premium Organic Loose Leaf | Published: 2026-10-22
Category: How-to Guides
Master the art of brewing organic Lapsang Souchong with the right water temperature, steeping time, and technique to enjoy its bold smoky flavor without bitterness.
Quick answer
Brew organic Lapsang Souchong with water at 195°F (90°C) and steep for 3–4 minutes to balance its smoky richness without bitterness.
Why water temperature matters for smoked black tea
Lapsang Souchong is a Chinese black tea that undergoes a unique pine-smoke drying process, giving it a bold, campfire-like character. Unlike delicate green teas, it can handle higher temperatures, but boiling water (212°F) will extract too much tannin, making it harsh and astringent.
Using water around 195°F (90°C) preserves the natural sweetness of ginger, dried pears, and caramel notes while taming the smoke. This temperature is a sweet spot for most smoked black teas.
Choosing the right teaware
A ceramic or glass teapot works well because it doesn’t absorb or add flavors. Avoid metal teapots, which can react with the smoky compounds and create a metallic taste. For a single cup, a simple infuser basket in a mug is perfectly fine.
Pre-warm your teapot or cup with hot water to maintain a stable brewing temperature, especially if your kitchen is cold.
Step-by-step brewing guide
- Boil and cool the water: Bring fresh, filtered water to a full boil (212°F / 100°C), then let it sit for about 30 seconds to cool to around 195°F (90°C). If you have a variable-temperature kettle, set it directly to 195°F. Using water that’s too hot is the most common mistake—it makes the tea bitter and masks the subtle caramel and fruit notes.
- Measure the tea leaves: Use 1 teaspoon (about 2–3 grams) of loose leaf tea per 8 oz (240 ml) of water. For a stronger brew, add a pinch more leaves rather than steeping longer. Overloading the leaves won’t ruin the tea, but it will intensify the smoke—adjust to your taste.
- Pour and steep: Pour the cooled water over the leaves and cover the teapot or cup. Steep for exactly 3 minutes for a balanced cup, or up to 4 minutes if you prefer a deeper smoky flavor. Steeping beyond 4 minutes risks bitterness; if you like it stronger, add more leaves instead of extending time.
- Strain and enjoy: Remove the leaves or pour the tea through a strainer into your cup. Let it cool for a minute before sipping to appreciate the full aroma—ginger, cinnamon, and a hint of pear. This tea is excellent on its own, but it also pairs well with rich foods like roasted meats or dark chocolate.
About the tea used in this guide
- Organic Lapsang Souchong Black Tea: This organic Lapsang Souchong has tasting notes of ginger, dried pears, crisp walnuts, cinnamon, and rich caramel, with a distinctively bold and smoky profile. The natural sweetness and spice notes mean you don’t need sugar or milk—just proper brewing to let those flavors shine.
Organic Lapsang Souchong Black Tea
