Russian Caravan Black Tea
A smoky-sweet blend of Chinese teas, named for the camel road that once carried tea to Russia.
Russian Caravan is a blend of Chinese teas with a soft thread of smoke. The name recalls the camel caravans that carried tea from China to Russia. Brewed in a teapot at 95°C, it tastes of pine smoke, malty sweetness and a hint of cocoa.
Sensory profile
You should taste
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 50 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 20.8 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
Related gear
| Brewing method | Teapot |
|---|---|
| Brew ratio | 1:80 |
| Dose & yield | 3g → 240g |
| Grind size | Whole Leaf |
| Water temperature | 203°F / 95°C |
| Target brew time | 3:00-4:00 |
| Serving | 8 oz cup (240ml) |
What you need
- 3 g loose-leaf black tea
- 240 g filtered water at 95°C
Required gear
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Warm the pot with hot water and pour it away, so the brewing water does not lose heat to cold ceramic.
- 0:10Add 3 g of leaf to the pot or basket, leaving room for it to open.
- 0:20Pour 240 g of water at 95°C over the leaf and cover. Start the timer.
- 3:50Remove the leaf or decant completely. Leaf left in the pot keeps extracting and turns the last cup bitter.
What it may be good for
The caffeine count
We list about 50 mg for an 8 oz cup.
Try it the Russian way
In Russia tea is often made as a strong concentrate, called zavarka, and then diluted in the glass with hot water. A slice of lemon or a little sugar is common company.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you.
Russian Caravan is a blend of Chinese teas with a soft thread of smoke. The name recalls the camel caravans that carried tea from China to Russia. Brewed in a teapot at 95°C, it tastes of pine smoke, malty sweetness and a hint of cocoa.
Origin & Story
Picture the road: camels in a long line, loaded with tea, crossing the Gobi toward Kyakhta on the Russian border, and from there on by horse and sledge across Siberia. For generations that was how tea reached Russia, and a blend that borrows the name is a way of imagining the trip.
The treaty that made it possible was signed in 1727. The Treaty of Kyakhta fixed the border between Russia and China and made the town the place where the two empires traded, with tea among the goods. Compressed tea bricks traveled well, and in parts of Siberia and Mongolia they passed from hand to hand almost like money.
The popular story says the tea soaked up campfire smoke on the way and that Russians came to love that edge. It is a good story and an unproven one. These days the smoke in the cup comes from Lapsang Souchong, a tea from Fujian that is dried over pine fires on purpose, and many blenders add only a little or leave it out.
The usual recipe mixes oolong with Keemun, the winey, cocoa-toned black tea from Qimen in Anhui, and then adds a touch of Lapsang for the campfire.
In time the sea routes and then the Trans-Siberian Railway carried tea faster than any camel could, and the caravans faded. The blend kept the name.
Brew 3 g of leaf in 240 ml of water at 95°C for three to four minutes, and taste it plain before you reach for sugar or lemon.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 76/100 |
| Acidity | 48/100 |
| Bitterness | 48/100 |
| Body | 74/100 |
| Aroma | 90/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Russian Caravan Black Tea?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 50 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Russian Caravan Black Tea?
Target 95°C (203°F).
How long should Russian Caravan Black Tea be extracted?
Timing: 3:00-4:00. Method: Teapot. Ratio: 12g/L (3g leaves to 240g water). Grind or leaf format: Whole Leaf.
What is in Russian Caravan tea?
The usual mix is oolong and Keemun, a black tea from Anhui, China, sometimes with a little Lapsang Souchong for smoke. Recipes differ by maker, and some leave the smoky tea out altogether.
Is Russian Caravan tea smoky?
Gently, or not at all, depending on the maker. Any smoke comes from Lapsang Souchong, which is dried over pine fires, and blenders usually add only a little. Expect a soft campfire note over a sweet, fruity black tea.
Who should avoid Russian Caravan Black Tea?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
Borosilicate Glass Teapot with Infuser
In this recipe: Teapot with room for the leaf to open
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