Russian Caravan is a storied blend of Chinese black teas named for the path they took to reach Europe. This long journey through the cold, dry Siberian wilderness gave the tea a different flavor than tea carried through the tropics. This complex tea blend contains Lapsong Souchong and Assam teas which yield a bold, smoky flavor with a smooth finish--a tea that will be noticed and admired. • 4 oz. loose tea in bag • 1 rounded tsp. per 12 oz. cup • Makes 35-40 cups

Average Customer Rating:

2.8

out of

(10 Reviews) 10

Rating Snapshot (10 reviews)

5 Leaves

4 Leaves

3 Leaves

2 Leaves

1 Leaf

6 out of 10(60%)customers would recommend this product to a friend.

Customer Reviews for Russian Caravan

Review 1 for Russian Caravan

Overall:

5 out of 5

Biloxi

Location: Biloxi, ms

Tea Flavor: Spicy

Best Uses: Anytime

Describe Yourself: Tea Enthusiast

Top 100 Contributor

Soothing smokey blend

Date:February 17, 2013

Pros: Great Aroma, Smooth Body, High Quality, Whole Leaf Tea, Unique Flavor Profile

"This tea has an excellent aroma, smokey but not overpowering. The taste is mildly smokey and smooth, very enjoyable, will be ordering more."

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Review 2 for Russian Caravan

Overall:

5 out of 5

LLeon

Location: Texas

Best Uses: Evening

Describe Yourself: Tea Enthusiast

Beautifully Smokey with Sharp Tannins

Date:January 17, 2013

Pros: Great Aroma, High Quality, Unique Flavor Profile

Cons: not for the fainthearted

"I love Scotch Whiskey specifically from the Islay region because it has an extreme smoke and peat flavor. However, I gave up drinking alcohol, so I was missing that lovely smoke aroma and flavor.

Being new to the exploration of fine teas, I discovered Russian Caravan. I don't have anything to compare it to or can't comment on how it ranks among other similar teas, but I will say that it is satisfying the desire for a smoky aromatic beverage. It is reminiscent of the smoke from a nice Islay Scotch.

Things to note: if you allow it to steep for extended periods, unusually sharp tannins come out--much more do than with an Assam, Ceylon, or Darjeeling. If you aren't a fan of the sharpness (bitterness) you can mitigate by steeping for no more than 5 minutes. Also, I don't normally add flavorings like milk, cream, sugar, honey or lemon, but this becomes a luxurious drink when milk or cream is added--which will also (obviously) subdue the tannins.

I recommend it for adventurous folks with an intense palette, but not for those who like mild or smooth."

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Review 3 for Russian Caravan

Overall:

1 out of 5

Loub

Location: Akron, OH

Best Uses: Anytime

Describe Yourself: Tea Enthusiast

over powering

Date:December 23, 2011

"This is the first Mighty leaf tea I have purchased which has an aroma which is too smoky and strong.
The taste is also too bold particularly with the smoky stale smell which made it a non enjoyable tea to drink.
I won't be drinking it."

My Product Recommendations

Black Gold - 3 oz.

(20)

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Review 4 for Russian Caravan

Overall:

4 out of 5

PepperJack

Location: Cleveland, OH

Best Uses: Afternoon

Describe Yourself: High-end Shopper

Just right

Date:June 25, 2011

Pros: Smooth Body, High Quality, Whole Leaf Tea, Unique Flavor Profile

"This tea was just what I wanted. Only once before had I encountered a smoky black tea such as this. Very good quality and a satisfying cup. Just know what you are getting as it is very smoky. Glad I tried it!"

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Review 5 for Russian Caravan

Overall:

2 out of 5

Kaper1

Location: Hartford, CT

Best Uses: Evening

Date:June 12, 2011

Pros: Great Aroma

Cons: too smoky

"Ever sit by a campfire all night? That wood smoke smell sticks with you (and on you) for days. And that is exactly what Mighty Leaf had in mind when they crafted this one. It's aroma is wonderfully evocative of the smoky bazaars of the orient, and merits at least a couple of stars for creating such a powerful olfactory association.

That said, this tea is almost undrinkable. The smoke flavor is over-the-top, way too strong. BUT I found a great solution... cutting it with Black Gold tea. In fact, if you go with a mix of 80% Black Gold and 20% Caravan, you get a tea that remains beautifully evocative yet completely drinkable."

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Review 6 for Russian Caravan

Overall:

4 out of 5

MsFishbreath

Location: Hood River, OR

Best Uses: Afternoon

Describe Yourself: Tea Enthusiast

Top 500 Contributor

Surprise!

Date:February 24, 2011

Pros: Unique Flavor Profile

"I admit, I did not read the description of this tea when I purchased it. I was so sure that I was getting an earl grey that I didn't even think. As a school teacher, I serve tea to students every Tuesday. Whole leaf, good water, correct temperature -- and it has an amazing effect on teenagers. The toughest customer turns mellow when you serve tea. The student response to this tea ranged from, "This reminds me of camping!" to, "Oh My God, this reminds me of the time my brother dared me to lick an ashtray!" Some students loved it (one boy begged to take a few tablespoons home for his parents) and some did not. Much less invasive than lapsang, it is a complex tea experience."

1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Review 7 for Russian Caravan

Overall:

1 out of 5

Tea247

Location: Chicago, IL

Describe Yourself: Tea Enthusiast

Top 500 Contributor

Overwhelming smoke flavor and nose

Date:February 23, 2011

Pros: some hidden fruity and nut flavors

Cons: too much smoke smell and taste

"I purchased the tea specifically for the more vibrant and aromatic characteristics.

It was to my distinct displeasure that the tea exhibited an overwhelming smell of smoke with some notes of smoked beacon. Even though my nose was telling me otherwise, I tasted the tea. I found some pleasant hidden fruity and nutty notes, however the smoke flavor was intruding and covered all of the potential of the tea.

A note to anyone who mixed the tea: Tone it down. The flavor and the smell of the smoke needs to compliment the tea, and not to wage all out war against it."

1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Review 8 for Russian Caravan

Overall:

1 out of 5

larnet1

Location: Detroit MI

Tea Flavor: Spicy

Describe Yourself: Health Conscious

Top 1000 Contributor

Smelled like I was smoking meat

Date:December 27, 2010

Cons: strong unpleasant aroma, strong smoke flavoring

"This has to be by far the worst tea I have ever purchased. As it was brewing there was a heavy smoke aroma similar to a smoked meat. I decided to taste it and the taste was similar to a soup that had a lot of smoke flavoring added. it took two days to get the odor out of my house. It went straight to the outside trash. I love all of the other Mighty Leaf teas except this one."

0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Review 9 for Russian Caravan

Overall:

4 out of 5

teahead

Location: Berserkley

Best Uses: Afternoon

Describe Yourself: Tea Enthusiast

yummy and rich

Date:November 16, 2010

Pros: Great Aroma, High Quality

Cons: Bitter, too smoky not enough malt

"i fell in love with Russian Caravan-style teas while living in England. This is close to the aromatic richness of traditional Russian Caravan tea, but smokier than it should be, and far less malty. This blend is closer to a Lapsang Souchong than a "proper" Russian Caravan -- but is still very nice to drink on a lazy afternoon."

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Review 10 for Russian Caravan

Overall:

1 out of 5

bitter

Location: Washington State

Describe Yourself: Stylish

Top 25 Contributor

Smooookey!

Date:November 3, 2010

Cons: strong smokey taste and smell

"First let me say I am a huge fan of MLteas! Upon openning the bag I thought I smelled tobacco. I just cannot get over the smokey taste and smell of this tea! I quit cigarettes18 years ago and it reminds me of and old ashtray IMHO. it does say this in the description info,but it is more then I can handle. I am seeking a refund on this one."

My Product Recommendations