pine-smoke aroma
'pine-smoke aroma'
Definition#
The aroma of smouldering pine wood, typical of smoked black tea of the Lapsang type (正山小种). Chinese Wikipedia says the tea is smoked over pine wood and has a very strong pine-smoke aroma (茶叶经松木熏制而成，有着非常浓烈的松烟香); English Wikipedia says it is smoke-dried over a pinewood fire; the German article quotes smoke from smouldering pine roots and a strong smoke taste; the Russian article speaks of a resinous pine smell and 'копчёный чай'. Not every Zhengshan Xiaozhong is smoked: English Wikipedia reports an unsmoked variety developed in Tong Mu Guan from the early 21st century, so the aroma is a style descriptor, not a mark of origin. The smoking step itself belongs to the process (熏制) and is not covered here. In evaluation language a smoky note is also an off-flavour in other teas; this entry does not cover the defect sense.
Translation and usage#
| Language | Use | Alternatives & cautions |
|---|---|---|
| English | pine-smoke aroma smoke of burnt pine wood, as in Lapsang Souchong translation |
Also acceptable
Avoid roasted aroma 火香 (roast aroma) comes from firing; 松烟香 comes from smoking over pine tarry (as a synonym) 'tarry lapsang souchong' is, per en.wikipedia, a name for the heavier smoked Taiwanese version; it is not the Chinese term |
| Deutsch | Kiefernrauch-Aroma Rauch von Kiefernholz, wie bei Lapsang Souchong translation |
Also acceptable
Avoid Röstaroma roast aroma (火香) comes from roasting, not from smoke |
| Русский | аромат соснового дыма (Сун Янь Сян) аромат дыма сосновых дров |
Also acceptable
Avoid аромат прожарки roast aroma is 火香; smoke and the fire of roasting are not the same |
| 简体字 | 松烟香 | |
| 繁體字 | 松煙香 | Regional usage
|
| 日本語 | 松の煙の香り（松煙香） 松を燃やした煙の香り translation |
Also acceptable
|
Common confusions#
- Not every Zhengshan Xiaozhong or 'Lapsang' tastes smoky; an unsmoked variety exists and vendors differ.
- Other teas can carry unintended smoke; this entry is about the intended Lapsang note only.
- English 'tarry lapsang souchong' is, according to English Wikipedia, the usual name for the more heavily smoked Taiwanese-made version; it is not a Chinese term.
- Fuel wording differs: zh.wikipedia 松木, en.wikipedia pinewood, de.wikipedia 'schwelende Kiefernwurzeln' and for the final smoking 'Kiefern- oder Fichtenholz'.