Lapsang Souchong: why is this smoky tea so interesting in cooking?
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Journal • Understanding Tea
Lapsang Souchong: why is this smoked tea so interesting in cooking?
Woody, smoky, deep and sometimes puzzling in the cup, Lapsang Souchong reveals a whole other side when it enters the kitchen. Sauces, marinades, fish, meats, vegetables, chocolate: this black tea can become a real aromatic ingredient.
In a few words
Lapsang Souchong is particularly interesting in cooking because its smoky character allows you to quickly add depth to a sauce, a marinade, a broth or a dessert. Used in moderation, it can evoke wood, fire and smoke without requiring a smoker.
Can tea really become a cooking ingredient?
We often think of tea only as a drink. Yet, its leaves possess an aromatic palette rich enough to be used like that of a spice, an aromatic herb or a broth.
Some teas offer floral, vegetal or fruity profiles. Lapsang Souchong, on the other hand, belongs to a much more unique category: that of black teas with smoky notes.
What does Lapsang Souchong taste like?
Depending on its style and intensity, a Lapsang Souchong can evoke smoked wood, embers, resin, a fireplace, spices and sometimes softer or slightly fruity nuances.
It is precisely this aromatic power that gives it real culinary interest: a few centiliters of a concentrated infusion can be enough to completely transform a preparation.
7 ways to cook with Lapsang Souchong
1. In a sauce or reduction
A concentrated infusion can be reduced with honey, citrus fruits, vinegar or soy sauce. The result pairs particularly well with salmon, duck or pork.
2. In a marinade
Mixed with a liquid base, smoked tea brings an interesting woody dimension to fish, meats and even tofu.
3. In a broth
A few leaves or a small amount of infusion can enrich a broth of vegetables, mushrooms or poultry.
4. With fish
Fatty fish, especially salmon, handle smoky notes very well. The tea then allows you to get a smoking sensation without completely masking the fish.
5. With roasted vegetables
Carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, mushrooms or leeks pair very well with a smoky touch, especially when associated with honey or butter.
6. With chocolate
Dark chocolate and smoked tea form a particularly interesting combination. A ganache, cream or fondant can gain in depth thanks to a well-balanced infusion.
7. In flavored butter
Butter lightly infused with Lapsang Souchong can accompany mushrooms, grilled vegetables or even meat.
What ingredients to pair with smoked tea?
Lapsang Souchong works particularly well with:
-
salmon and fatty fish;
- duck and pork;
- mushrooms;
- honey;
- orange and citrus fruits;
- ginger;
- soy sauce;
- root vegetables;
- dark chocolate;
- dried fruits and nuts.
How to dose Lapsang Souchong in cooking?
It is probably the most important point. Smoked tea is powerful: it is better to start slowly then gradually increase the intensity.
For a sauce or reduction, you can prepare an infusion intentionally more concentrated than for a classic tasting. On the other hand, excessively prolonging the infusion is generally not the best solution: it can bring out more bitterness.
Cap sur le Thé advice
The smoke should support the dish, not overpower it
A successful dish with Lapsang Souchong must remain recognizable. You must still recognize the salmon, the vegetable, the chocolate or the sauce before smelling the smoky signature of the tea.
Errors to avoid
- Steeping too long hoping to get more flavor.
- Using too much tea from the start.
- Multiplying very powerful ingredients in the same recipe.
- Reducing a sauce until excessively concentrating the smoke or salt.
- Forgetting that a little acidity or sweetness can balance the smoky notes.
To try in the kitchen
Our Lapsang Souchong glazed salmon, honey & orange
To concretely discover what smoked tea can bring to a dish, start with this simple recipe: a glaze with honey, orange and Lapsang Souchong, applied gradually on a salmon steak.
Discover the recipe →The tea to discover
Brume de Lapsang
A smoked black tea to discover both in the cup and in your recipes. Its strong character makes it a particularly interesting ingredient for those who wish to experiment with tea cooking.
Discover Brume de Lapsang →Frequently asked questions about Lapsang Souchong in cooking
Can you cook with Lapsang Souchong?
Yes. It can be used in the form of an infusion in a sauce, a marinade, a broth or a sweet preparation. Its smoky taste allows you to quickly bring a lot of character.
What foods does smoked tea pair with?
It works notably with salmon, duck, pork, mushrooms, roasted vegetables, honey, citrus fruits and dark chocolate.
How to prevent smoked tea from being too strong?
Use a moderate amount, control the steeping time and taste regularly your preparation during the reduction.
Can you use Lapsang Souchong in a dessert?
Yes. Its smoky notes can notably be interesting with chocolate, caramel, vanilla, dried fruits or certain pear desserts.
Lapsang Souchong does not just accompany a meal.
It can also become one of its ingredients.
Cap sur le Thé — learn to know tea differently.
