Netizen Xiao Yu asks: Lapsang Souchong is a very famous black tea. I saw it introduced on your website, but I was wondering how much your Lapsang Souchong black tea costs? What is the general price range for Lapsang Souchong?
Chang Hsing Tea: Hello, Xiao Yu. Due to regulations, tea from mainland China cannot be imported into Taiwan, with the exception of Pu-erh tea. Our website only provides an introduction to Lapsang Souchong and we do not sell it. If you wish to purchase Lapsang Souchong black tea, you may need to source it yourself by traveling to mainland China or Hong Kong, or through other channels. We apologize that we cannot provide this service.
As for the price of Lapsang Souchong you asked about: Lapsang Souchong is China’s most representative black tea. Because it requires pine wood smoking and is difficult to produce, its price is usually not cheap. Traditionally crafted Lapsang Souchong is priced at around RMB 1,000 or more per 500 g. The top-tier grades often require bidding and purchasing through auctions, making them even more expensive.
If you prefer not to spend a lot of money, you can also opt for more budget-friendly Lapsang Souchong. These are mostly harvested by machine or cutting, typically mass-produced with machinery, and do not undergo wood smoking, resulting in lower quality. The leaves are usually broken and may include leaves harvested on rainy days. The cheapest versions of this type can be found starting around RMB 50 per 500 g, with typical prices ranging from tens to RMB 200 per 500 g.
However, we still recommend that if you want to taste the best Lapsang Souchong, it is worth spending a bit more to buy it in small quantities. Authentic, traditionally crafted Lapsang Souchong features a captivating smoky aroma and a uniquely sweet, mellow fragrance that is deeply refreshing to drink.