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 Robert Sweet shifted all formerly "Thea" species to the genus "Camellia" in 1818. The name "sinensis" means "from China" in Latin. Four varieties of "Camellia sinensis" are recognized. Of these, "C. sinensis" var. "sinensis" and "C. sinensis" var. "assamica" (JW Masters) Kitamura are most commonly used for tea, and "C. sinensis" var. "pubilimba" Hung T. Chang and "C. sinensis" var. "dehungensis" (Hung T. Chang & BH Chen) TL Ming are sometimes used locally. There are hundreds, if not thousands of cultivars of "C. sinensis." Some Japanese cultivars include: "Camellia sinensis" is native to East Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast