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 sinensis Asia, but it is today cultivated across the world in tropical and subtropical regions. Camellia sinensis is an evergreen shrub or small tree that is usually trimmed to below when cultivated for its leaves. It has a strong taproot. The flowers are yellow-white, in diameter, with 7 to 8 petals. The seeds of "Camellia sinensis" and "Camellia oleifera" can be pressed to yield tea oil, a sweetish seasoning and cooking oil that should not be confused with tea tree oil, an essential oil that is used for medical and cosmetic purposes, and originates from the leaves of a different plant.