If you want to experience an amazing contrast of flavours, this latte is for you. It uses a strong, full-bodied Chinese black tea known for its smoky profile. I first created this smoky maple tea latte as a bearable way to drink some lapsang souchong tea I had for a while. But, it quickly became a favourite for cold nights. You may have noticed with my matcha latte and hojicha latte recipes that I love using pure maple syrup as a sweetener. The simple addition of sweet maple and creamy milk mellow out the powerful smoky flavour from the tea and the combination is absolutely divine. You will love the smoky and sweet contrast from this tea latte.
What is Lapsang Souchong?
Lapsang Souchong is a Chinese black tea from China’s Fujian Province. Dating back to the late 16th century, it was the first black tea to be created.
Lapsang Souchong is known for its distinctive campfire aroma and flavour. This is because the tea leaves are dried over a pinewood fire.
If you don’t love smoky flavours, this tea might not be for you. However, there is a version of this tea that is not smoky and will have you think differently of lapsang souchong entirely. But, smoked lapsang souchong black tea is needed for this tea latte recipe.
Personally, I don’t normally enjoy drinking lapsang souchong but I can handle it (and absolutely love it!) made into a latte with real maple syrup. As mentioned, the maple syrup mellows out the strong smoky profile.
Lapsang souchong is one of my most favourite teas to cook with, too! It’s an excellent tea to make coconut “bacon”, tea umami sauce or even a smoky tea hot chocolate and old fashioned.
Where to buy Lapsang Souchong tea
Some Lapsang Souchong blacks tea available can be too smoky. These are some options I recommend as they are approachable and what I’ve used in the past for this latte. (affiliate links)
- Lapsang Souchong Smoky Black Tea from TeaVivre
- Organic Lapsang Souchong Black Tea from California Tea House
- Lapsang Souchong (certified organic) from Loose Leaf Tea Market
Smoky Maple Tea Latte Recipe
This recipe serves 1. To make one for yourself and a guest, split it in half and serve in teacups!
Here is what you will need:
1 tablespoon Lapsang Souchong black tea
1/2 cup hot water ~ 95 degrees Celsius
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1/4 cup milk
more maple syrup and tea leaves for garnish, optional
Directions:
1. Add Lapsang Souchong black tea to a tea infuser and steep in hot water for 5 minutes, covered.
2. While the tea is steeping, froth the milk. I use an inexpensive handheld frother and it does a really good job. Simply simmer milk in a small saucepan, remove from heat and froth for about 30 seconds.
If you have an electric frother though, feel free to use that. If you do not have a frothing device, you can simmer milk and whisk vigorously with a kitchen whisk. The froth will not be super fluffy and cloud like, but it’s a decent replacement!
3. When the tea is done steeping strain the tea leaves. Then, stir in pure maple syrup.
4. Top the smoky maple tea with the frothed milk. To garnish (optional): drizzle more maple syrup on top of the latte. Then, crush a pinch of lapsang souchong tea leaves and sprinkle it on top, too.
Enjoy!
Smoky Maple Tea Latte
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Lapsang Souchong black tea loose leaf
- 1/2 cup hot water ~ 95 degrees Celsius
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup milk
- more maple syrup and tea leaves for garnish optional
Instructions
- 1. Add Lapsang Souchong black tea to a tea infuser and steep in hot water for 5 minutes, covered.
- 2. While the tea is steeping, simmer milk on the stove top and froth with a handheld frother for about 30 seconds. If you have an electric milk frother/steamer, you can use that instead. If you don’t have any of these devices, you can whisk the warm milk in the saucepan by hand until it gets somewhat frothy.
- 3. Strain the tea leaves when the tea is done steeping. Stir in pure maple syrup (real stuff only!).
- 4. Top the smoky maple tea with the frothed milk. Drizzle more maple syrup on top of the latte and sprinkle with a pinch of crushed tea leaves (optional). Enjoy!
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Do you like adding maple syrup to some of your teas? Let me know your favourite combination in the comments below!
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