Once drunk, Lapsang is never forgotten. Its distinctly smoky, tarry character is something you either love or hate, and opinion is sharply divided! Osprey is the highest quality of Lapsang, so if you are a fan, this is definitely the one for you.

The production of Lapsang tea has several unusual features that create the tarry flavour. First, the soils in the area are bitumastic, meaning that small amounts of tar are naturally present in the ground. Second, it is not the top two leaves and a bud that are plucked from the tea bushes, but the larger, lower leaves. Third, fermentation is longer than usual. Fourth, after roasting and drying the tea is smoked in baskets over pine smoke for several hours, an uncomfortable and tiring manual process.

What many people do not realise is that Lapsang is actually a rather delicate tea. The tarriness makes you think it is strong and overpowering but this is not the case. Quality in Lapsang is indicated by a milder tarriness.

Osprey is the mark of quality given to the best Lapsangs. This tea is lively, bright, refreshing, invigorating and full of rich but subtle flavours with a distinct overtone of marzipan. The colour is a light amber, almost like some of the more delicate Ceylons, and on the nose there should be a light touch of tarriness which should smell refreshing and pleasant.