Russian Caravan

Today in Russia and Eastern Europe tea is the most common drink (after water) and one of the most popular and interesting teas available is Russian Caravan.

Russian Caravan is a dark, smoky, strong tea with a malted flavour underneath. In the 18th century traders spent many months travelling the Silk Road from China to Russia with camel caravans laden with Chinese silks, furs and tea. When the traders camped for the night in the cold mountains they would circle their camp fires with the camels to keep them warm and the smoke from the nightly fires would infuse with the tea and over the course of their trip would and give the tea the signature smokey taste that became known as Russian Caravan.

The smoke infused tea became so popular with the aristocratic class of Russia that the traders continued the practice of travelling with their tea along the Silk Road long after other means of transport that were faster and cheaper became available. Today it's no longer necessary to go to such lengths to recreate the taste and aroma the traders spent months cultivating. Please give our