Xiao Zhong

Xiao Zhong is the oldest red tea ever produced. It has become a staple and a reference for many tea factories in China and especially outside. The reason tea in India, Sri Lanka, Iran, Turkey, Georgia and other countries is so similar to Xiao Zhong is because that's exactly the variety planted there. Technology has seen different deviations in each country, but at its core - it is still the same.

What's funny, is that technology for this tea didn't catch up in China very much. Of course, fermentation technique is the same for every red tea and all of them owe it to Xiao Zhong, but that's where similarities end. There are a few teas that are similar to Xiao Zhong, but the majority of teas are produced differently, which makes this tea one of a kind.

Xiao Zhong is a smoked tea. The manufacturer would use pine branches and special smoking chamber at the last stage of producing the tea. This process gives the tea its distinct strong flavour and aroma. Some people are in love with it, some don't, but I believe this tea is one of the most important teas in history. I don't drink it every day, but I do enjoy it from time to time. However, I have customers, who order this tea only and they would only drink some other tea to compare it to Xiao Zhong.