Lapsang souchong is a very special black tea that is making quite an impact recently on the adventurous American palette. A black tea originally from China, it boasts a strongly smoky bold flavor that is absolutely delicious with milk and a small amount of sugar.

The flavor comes from an intense preparation: the tea leaves are withered over pine or cedar fires, then pan-fried, rolled and oxidized before being fully dried in bamboo baskets over smoking pine logs. Not necessarily a tea for everyone, hikers and backpackers swear by it, and some people swear themselves to lifelong relationships with this exotic brew. Try it with spicy and salty food, or as a unique afternoon pick-me-up.