Loose Leaf Tea: Lapsang Souchong*

Dear Tea Drinkers,

Opening the bag of Lapsang Souchong* is the beginning of the experience, as a blast of smoke smites your face. The smell takes you to a great bluff, spread out below, as far as the eye can see, is the camp of the Emporer's Great Army, the smoke of thousands of cook fires, wafting towards the heavens, bright red standards flapping in the breeze, "the Mongols don't stand a chance," you hear yourself say. You dip your spoon into the invisible haze and dredge up a bit and drop it into your tea strainer. You give the leaves a quick rinse with boiling water to wake them up and dust them off. You pop the strainer back into the pot and pour the remaining water into it. You let it steep a few minutes, just enough to impart the rich flavor but not so long the tea gets cold. You spent a pretty penny on this bag, and it can steep til the cows come home and not adopt an attitude.

The Haps

Send between 2-3 teaspoons of loose Lapsang* in a ziploc or taped sandwich baggie. It should fit in business-sized envelope, and be thin enough to not require extra postage. I recommend using a fairly hefty envelope, so your letter doesn't get torn up in the sorting machines-- it doesn't need to be padded, but don't, say, use an airmail envelope.

Include a letter explaining where you bought it, what it makes you think of and anything else that would make for an interesting read.

Remember to include the name of the swap.

Rated swappers only, I will angel.

If your country prohibits this sort of swap, please don't don't sign up. *or Russian Caravan