Russian Caravan Czar Nicholas

The history of this tea goes back hundreds of years. In the city of Xian in central China thought to be the beginning of the Silk Road – the trail that leads to central Asia and beyond. One of the commodities taken along the Silk Road by camel trains was tea; and the Lapsang Souchong in the blend gives a hint of mystery to tea that arrived at the opulent courts of St. Petersburg.  Its name Russian Caravan originates from the 18th century camel caravans that facilitated the transcontinental tea trade along the old silk and spice trade route. It took at least half a year to make the six-thousand-mile journey from the Chinese border to Russia. This is not everyone’s cup of tea (as it has Lapsang Souchong)  but evokes thoughts of roasted chestnuts on an open fire and is delightfully warming.