2022 Masu Lapsang Souchong - Traditionally Smoked Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong

Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong (正山小种), meaning "Original Mountain Small Varietal," refers both to Tongmu Guan, the birthplace of this historic tea, and to the small-leaf Wuyi cultivar used to craft it. With a history spanning over 400 years, this traditionally smoked Lapsang Souchong is regarded as the earliest form of black tea—once favored by the British royal family.

Origin: Masu – A Rare Micro-Region in Tongmu

This tea is sourced from Masu, one of the four core producing areas of Tongmu village, alongside Guadun, Miaowan, and Jiangdun. At an average elevation of 1,400 meters, Masu is often considered the most sought-after micro-region in Tongmu, with tea trees growing wild among untouched forests.

The deep-rooted tea trees here benefit from a completely natural ecosystem—no pesticides, no human intervention, only nature shaping their growth. The high-altitude climate contributes to their unique character, with constant mist, mountain streams, and cool temperatures fostering a slow, complex development of flavor. The area’s abundant negative oxygen ions, stable organic soil composition, and short yet intense sunlight exposure create an exceptional terroir, forming a distinctive Masu microclimate that nurtures teas with remarkable depth and richness.

Traditional Pinewood Smoking in Qing Lou (青楼)

Unlike modern Lapsang Souchong, which is often artificially flavored or heavily smoked, Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong undergoes a meticulous traditional smoking process inside Qing Lou (青楼)—three-story wooden smokehouses designed specifically for tea production. These structures facilitate natural withering, oxidation, and drying in a way that allows the tea to gradually absorb the essence of pinewood smoke, resulting in a beautifully layered and integrated flavor rather than an overpowering smokiness.

Flavor Evolution & Tasting Notes

Freshly made Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong carries an assertive pinewood smoke aroma, but with time, its character transforms. As the tea ages, the smoke mellows, unveiling greater complexity and depth. This batch, crafted in spring 2022 by Master Chen of Masu Village, was specially commissioned by Ni Lianwang.

Now, after years of careful aging, the 2022 Masu Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong has evolved into a beautifully refined tea. The once-intense smokiness has softened, allowing the tea’s rich longan fruit sweetness, deep woody undertones, and smooth, lingering finish to emerge. With a harmonious balance of smoke, fruit, and wood, this tea exemplifies the depth and artistry of traditionally crafted Lapsang Souchong at its finest.