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Russian Caravan is a blended black tea with a gentle smokiness. The name comes from the tea trade routes between China and Russia, where, from the late 1600s through the early 1900s, camel caravans carried tea overland for months. The story goes that campfire smoke from the journey worked its way into the tea chests, and Russian buyers developed a taste for that smoky edge.
Whether the origin story is entirely true or partly legend, the result is a specific style of tea. Russian Caravan blends typically combine two or three Chinese teas: Keemun for depth and a wine-like sweetness, and Lapsang Souchong for smoke. Some versions add oolong for additional complexity.
The key word is balance. Russian Caravan is not a smoked tea the way Lapsang Souchong is a smoked tea. The smoke is a background note, not the main event.
People often confuse Russian Caravan with Lapsang Souchong, but they are very different drinks. Lapsang Souchong is dried over pinewood fires, giving it a bold, campfire-forward flavor that dominates the cup. Some people love it, others find it overwhelming.
Russian Caravan dials the smoke way down. The Keemun component provides a smooth, slightly sweet base with notes of stone fruit and cocoa. The Lapsang Souchong adds just enough smoke to make things interesting without taking over. The result is a complex tea that works for people who want smokiness without the intensity.
I describe it to customers this way: if Lapsang Souchong is a bonfire, Russian Caravan is the smell of a fireplace in the next room. Present, pleasant, not in your face.
Russian Caravan follows the same basic rules as other black teas. Use water between 95 and 100 degrees Celsius. Steep for three to five minutes depending on how strong you want it.
I find that four minutes at 95 degrees is the sweet spot for this blend. That gives the Keemun enough time to develop its full body while keeping the smoke in proportion. Shorter steeps lean more citrusy and bright. Longer steeps bring out more tannin and a drier finish.
Use about one teaspoon (2-3 grams) per 200 ml. Russian Caravan responds well to a second infusion — add a minute to the steep time. The smoke fades on the second cup, and the sweetness of the Keemun comes forward.
Russian Caravan is an autumn and winter tea for me. The smokiness pairs naturally with cold weather, heavy food, and darker evenings. It goes particularly well with smoked fish, aged cheese, or dark chocolate.
It also makes an excellent evening tea. The flavor is rich enough to feel satisfying after dinner without being too heavy or tannic. I drink it black, but it holds up to milk if you prefer.
If you have tried Lapsang Souchong and found it too intense, Russian Caravan is worth trying. It keeps the interesting part — the smoke — but wraps it in a smoother, more approachable package.
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