He has a fascinating story. More than 400 years's old, he is the world first fully oxidized tea.

Amazingly, his birth came purely as an accident.

According to legend, during the late Ming Dynasty, a tea owner deserted his factory when an army invaded. When he eventually returned, the tea leaves had fully oxidized.

To salvage his losses, he decided to dry the leaves in bamboo baskets over pine fires. The resulting beverage was a enchanting balance of smoke and tea.

The tea became a sensational hit in Western Europe.

Today, the same village - Tongmu - is a National Designated Protected Zone. Lying at the north of Wuyi Mountain, they are part of the UNESCO heritage site.

Situated at an altitude of 1200 to 1500 meters, the thick pine forests and heavy mists provide the ideal environment for growing top quality tea.

In the old days, smoky tea was so popular that it was produced in many parts of Fujian province.

The highest quality grows in Tongmu and surrounding villages. They are called Middle Mountain - which is translated as Lapsang.

Only tea produced here is called Lapsang Souchong - which means Middle Mountain Small Leaf Variety.

Teas produced in other parts of Fujian is called Outside Mountain. These lower qualities disappear over time - only the authentic variety survives the passage of time.

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