Russian Caravan Russian Caravan Russian Caravan is a blend of oolong, keemun, and lapsang souchong teas, all produced from "Camellia sinensis" the Chinese tea plant. It is described as an aromatic and full-bodied tea with a sweet, malty, and smoky taste. Some varieties do not include lapsang souchong, and thus have a less smoky flavor. Although a Chinese tea, its name originates from the 18th century camel caravans that facilitated the transcontinental tea trade from tea-producing areas (namely India, Ceylon and China) to Europe via Russia. "It took at least half a year to make the six-thousand-mile journey from the Chinese border
Camellia taliensis is the tea variety traditionally cultivated in Yunnan. Like "C. sinensis, C. taliensis" contains both theanine and caffeine. "C. talensis" can be easily crossed with "C. sinensis," and the resulting crossbred plants are intermediate between species both morphologically and chemically indicating true hybrids. "Camellia taliensis" is locally used to make white tea, black tea, and pu'er tea. Yue Guang Bai (月光白 "Moonlight White") is a white tea made from the plant. Yunnan pu-erh tea made from "C. taliensis" can command a much higher price than pu'er made from the more common "C. sinensis." Camellia taliensis Camellia taliensis (also Yunnan large