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The Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong Terzaluna tea is a Chinese black leaf tea, harvested in June 2026 at Tong Mu Guan, in the heart of the Wuyi Mountains, at about 1000 meters altitude. It features dark, well-processed leaves and, once brewed, offers a smooth, round cup with malty and sweet tones, without any smoky notes.
It is indeed the unscented version of the famous Lapsang Souchong: same area, same cultivar, same ancient tradition, but with a very different character, more delicate and closer to the natural taste of the leaf. It is a breakfast and afternoon tea, but also an ideal companion for those who want to approach Chinese black teas with an elegant and easy-to-drink cup, even multiple times in a row.
Black tea (Camellia sinensis), 100%. No flavoring, no added ingredients, and no smoking.
The Chinese name, 正山小种, is read as Zhèng Shān Xiǎo Zhǒng and can be translated roughly as "small variety of the authentic mountain." Zheng Shan indicates the origin area, that of the Wuyi Mountains, while Xiao Zhong refers to the small-leaf cultivar that has been growing here for centuries.
In China, the teas we call "black" in the West are known as hong cha, or red teas, due to the amber-reddish color of the infusion. Therefore, on shelves and in catalogs, Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong appears interchangeably as black tea or red tea: it is the same category, characterized by complete oxidation of the leaves.
The processing follows the classic stages of black tea: wilting of the leaves on mats, rolling to break the cells and initiate oxidation, actual oxidation, a quick pan-fixing phase, and finally drying. It is in this last phase that the main difference with traditional Lapsang Souchong is played out: here, drying occurs without smoke.
The Wuyi Mountains, in the north of Fujian province, are one of the historical lands of tea in China and are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their natural and cultural value. Tong Mu Guan is a small mountain village immersed in this landscape, among forests, mists, and high altitudes, and is considered the home of Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong.
This tea is often cited as one of the first black teas in history. Sources do not agree on the precise date, and as with many ancient products, its origin is shrouded in handed-down tales: it is said to date back to a period between the 16th and 17th centuries. One of the most widespread stories tells that, during the passage of troops in the area, the freshly picked leaves could not be processed in the usual times and were quickly dried over a wood fire, giving rise to a tea with a new character.
That tea reached Europe through Dutch merchants and quickly won over the Western public. The name Lapsang Souchong comes from the Fuzhou dialect: lap sang means "pine wood," while souchong corresponds to the Chinese term for "small variety." Today, at Tong Mu Guan, alongside the smoked version, the unscented version is also produced, increasingly appreciated for its finesse.
Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong and Lapsang Souchong share the same origin: the cultivar, the Wuyi Mountains area, and the processing tradition are the same. What changes is the last phase of the process, and with it, the result in the cup.
If you love intense and smoky flavors, the classic Lapsang Souchong is the right choice. If, on the other hand, you are looking for an elegant Chinese black tea, without smoky notes and suitable even for those who do not like this aroma, Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong is the answer.
The dry leaves have a scent reminiscent of malt and a sweetness that recalls freshly baked bread. When infused, the tea releases a warm and rounded aroma, in which notes of dried fruit, cane sugar, and a slight toastiness can be recognized.
The liquor is amber-colored and the sip is smooth, slightly astringent, and free of the bitterness that sometimes accompanies other black teas. The persistence is pleasant and allows it to be prepared multiple times, especially with the oriental method, discovering slightly different nuances with each infusion.
It pairs well with a hearty breakfast, bread and butter, not overly sweet baked goods, and simple dishes of white meat or eggs. It can be enjoyed on its own, without sugar, or with a drop of milk, although its natural sweetness does not require it.
Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong tea is suitable for both Western preparation, which is simpler and quicker, and Eastern preparation, which allows for better appreciation of its nuances.
The leaves are best kept in a well-sealed container, away from light, heat, and humidity. It is advisable to keep them away from strong odors, as the tea easily absorbs them. The product should preferably be consumed by the date indicated on the package.
Like any black tea, Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong contains caffeine, in quantities that vary with the dose of leaves, water temperature, and infusion time. Those sensitive to caffeine, pregnant or breastfeeding, and those undergoing specific therapies should consume it in moderation or seek advice from their doctor. It is advisable to avoid drinking it on an empty stomach if particularly sensitive.
If you are wondering where to buy Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong tea, Terzaluna is an ecommerce specialized in high-quality spices, herbal teas, and teas, carefully selected from the best producers worldwide. This unsmoked black tea comes from a precise selection: harvested in June 2026 in Tong Mu Guan, at about 1000 meters altitude, in the historic area where Lapsang Souchong originates.
It is a proposal designed for those who want to discover the sweeter and more refined side of this tea: no smoky notes, no added aroma, just the leaf and its territory. A tea suitable both for those approaching Chinese black teas for the first time and for those who already know smoked Lapsang Souchong and wish to compare it with its original and natural version.
You can purchase Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong tea directly online at Terzaluna and receive it conveniently at home, in packaging that protects its aroma and freshness. Terzaluna ships throughout Italy, with a selection of teas, herbal teas, and spices chosen for those who love to discover and savor authentic products.
Here are the answers to some of the most common questions about this tea and the differences with Lapsang Souchong.
Terzaluna's Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong is not smoked. In the traditional version, known in the West as Lapsang Souchong, the leaves are dried over a pine wood fire and acquire a very intense smoky aroma.
They come from the same area and the same cultivar. The difference lies in the drying process: traditional Lapsang Souchong is smoked, while the unsmoked Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong is sweeter, maltier, and more delicate, without burnt wood notes.
It is both: "red tea" is the name by which this type of fully oxidized tea is known in China (hong cha), while in the West we know it as black tea.
Yes, like all teas made from Camellia sinensis. The amount in the cup depends on the leaf dosage, water temperature, and infusion time.
With Western preparation, two or three infusions can be obtained, while with the gong fu cha method, with shorter times and more leaves, the number of infusions can be greater.
Yes, it is a soft and low astringency tea that can be enjoyed with a splash of milk, although its natural sweetness makes it pleasant even without additions.
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