Smooth and remarkably refined, Formosa Lapsang Souchong offers a softer, highly approachable alternative to traditional intensely smoky black teas. It makes a memorable addition to any high-street café, restaurant or hotel lounge looking to offer a premium twist on a classic trade staple.
Sourced from high-altitude gardens in Taiwan's Nantou County, these fine leaves are withered and dried over burning pine and oak boughs in the traditional island fashion. The resulting infusion shines bright orange in the cup, delivering a smooth black tea body with delicate notes of oak fire that drink beautifully without needing any masking flavours.
Medium in caffeine, this tea serves wonderfully as a comforting hot pot alongside afternoon tea or as an iced tea, brew at double-strength and pour over ice for a refreshing summer drink.
Formosa Lapsang Souchong - Loose Tea
| Smooth and full of flavour with hints of pine and oak fire. | |
| Luxury Black Tea. | |
| Nantou County, Taiwan. | |
| 3-7 Mins 1/Cup 100°C |
- UPC:
- 5060798374085
Tea Facts
- Ingredients: Black Tea
- Leaves: Dried black tea leaves (Orthodox, traditional leafy strips)
- Latin/ Botanical Names: Camellia sinensis
- Grown: Taiwan (Nantou County, 2500–6000 feet above sea level)
- Aroma: Smooth, round smokiness with mild hints of pine and oak fire
- Infused Colour: Tending bright with orange highlights
- Caffeine: Medium Caffeine Level
- Harmonisation Codes: <3Kg 0902300000 | >3Kg 0902400000
Serving Guide
- Tea Menu: A refined choice for specialty black tea menus, perfect for afternoon tea services, fireside lounge offerings, and savoury food pairings.
- Per Serving: 2g to 2.5g (approx. 1 slightly heaping teaspoon per 200–260ml)
- Water: Freshly drawn boiling water (100°C) to maximise full extraction of leaf character and subtle smoky essential oils.
- Brewing Time: Steep for 3-7 minutes; extended steeping times simply intensify the flavour.
- To Serve: Enjoy plain to savour the natural oak and pine notes, or serve with a splash of milk or a slice of lemon.
Health Benefits
- Vascular Function & Heart Health: Human clinical trials demonstrate that daily intake of black tea (Camellia sinensis) supports endothelial function and healthy arterial reactivity in adults.[1]
- Cognitive Focus & Alertness: Clinical studies investigating natural black tea compounds, including L-theanine combined with caffeine, show measurable enhancements in mental focus and sustained visual attention.[2]
- Metabolic & Glucose Support: Human trials evaluating black tea consumption indicate positive effects on postprandial glucose management and general metabolic balance following meals.[3]
- [1] Black tea consumption improves vascular reactivity in patients with coronary artery disease (Circulation).
- [2] The effects of L-theanine and caffeine on cognitive performance and alertness (Nutr Neurosci).
- [3] Black tea consumption attenuates postprandial blood glucose concentrations in healthy subjects (Asia Pac J Clin Nutr).
To view our full selection of loose-leaf black teas and classic blends, browse our complete wholesale black tea range.
Formosa Lapsang Souchong FAQs
Formosa Lapsang Souchong is grown in the high-altitude Nantou region of Taiwan and tends to have a smoother, more delicate smoky character compared to mainland varieties. Rather than overwhelming the palate with heavy smoke, the Taiwanese processing method yields subtle hints of oak and pine fire over a rich, naturally sweet black tea base.
While Taiwan is famous for high-mountain Oolongs today, its commercial tea industry actually developed around black tea. Early cultivators refined wild island varieties—such as the famous Taiwan Tea No. 18—into exceptional black teas. Formosa Lapsang builds on this heritage, using traditional withering over pine boughs and barrel fermentation to craft a cup of outstanding clarity and elegance.
Because of its gentle smokiness and rounded body, Formosa Lapsang is exceptionally versatile on a menu. It pairs brilliantly with savoury afternoon tea sandwiches (such as smoked salmon or roast beef), aged cheeses, dark chocolate pastries, or even as a refreshing iced tea alongside summer barbecue dishes.
