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Tihar Smoked Oolong Tea
Bold smoked oak and charcoal over dark caramel, with a soft oolong sweetness and a warm, rounded finish.
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About This Tea
"Absolutely superb! Wonderful product. Perfect Smokey sense to the nose and subtle flavor. Excellent!"
Quick Facts
- Origin: Ilam, Nepal · autumn harvest
- Type: Smoked oolong · oak-smoked · whole leaf
- Caffeine: Medium (~25–45 mg per 8 oz cup — about a third of coffee)
- Brew: 195°F · 3–4 minutes · re-steeps 2 times
- Certifications: Single-origin · direct-trade (not USDA Organic — small smoke-house production doesn't qualify)
- Specialty: Lapsang Souchong alternative — smoked over oak, not pine
- Taste: Smoked oak, charcoal, dark caramel — bold, aromatic, warming finish
Tihar Smoked Oolong is a single-origin, oak-smoked oolong from Ilam, Nepal — one of the country's rarest teas. Hand-picked during the crisp autumn harvest and slow-smoked over oak in our cooperative's small smoke-house, it brews a bold, aromatic cup with deep notes of smoked oak, charcoal, and dark caramel. Whole-leaf and finished in a limited seasonal run that sells through quickly.
Built for fans of Lapsang Souchong who want a single-origin alternative outside Fujian, Tihar is smoked over oak (not pine) — so the smoke profile is rounder, less resinous, and pairs cleanly with dark chocolate, aged cheese, hearty meals, or a cozy winter evening on its own. Note: Tihar is not USDA Certified Organic — small smoke-house production doesn't qualify — but the leaf comes from the same Ilam co-ops as our certified line. Explore our Nepal oolong tea range for our USDA Organic oolongs — Annapurna Amber, Dragon Claw, and Ruby.
Slow-Smoked Over Oak in the Highlands of Ilam, Nepal
Tihar Smoked Oolong is a single-origin, oak-smoked oolong hand-picked in Ilam, eastern Nepal, then slow-smoked over oak in a small cooperative smoke-house. This rare Nepali smoked tea is prized for its rounded, sweet smoke — a single-origin alternative to pine-smoked Lapsang Souchong, finished in one limited autumn run that sells through quickly.
ELEVATION
4,000–7,500 ft (Himalayan Foothills)
HARVEST
Autumn Flush
REGION
Ilam, Nepal
What Makes Tihar Rare
Rounder, sweeter smoke than pine-smoked Lapsang Souchong.
One garden region in the Himalayan foothills, autumn harvest.
Small-batch smoked once a year; sells out, returns next autumn.
The Single-Origin Alternative to Lapsang Souchong
Smoky-tea drinkers reach for Tihar when they want the campfire intensity of Lapsang Souchong without the sharp, resinous pine edge. Because Tihar is smoked over oak rather than pine, the smoke is rounder and sweeter, sitting over the natural caramel notes of a semi-oxidized oolong. It is one of the few oak-smoked teas made anywhere outside China.
For drinkers comparing smoked teas, Tihar stands out for being single-origin and direct-trade, grown in the same Ilam gardens as our certified organic line — though Tihar itself is not USDA Certified Organic, as small smoke-house production does not qualify. Nepali tea is also prized for being smoother than Darjeeling grown just across the border. Explore more in our Nepali oolong collection.
Tasting Notes
- Aroma: Smoked oak, glowing charcoal, dark caramel
- Body: Medium-full, rounded, smooth
- Finish: Warm and clean — smoke without tar or harshness
- Liquor: Deep amber-copper
- Pairs well with: Dark chocolate, smoked or aged cheese, grilled meats, mushrooms, barbecue
The Farmer-First Model
Our direct-trade Nepal tea model keeps more value closer to origin and lets us ship fresher, better-traced loose leaf to customers in the United States. Orders leave our Saugus, MA facility with fast U.S. fulfillment. Browse our USDA Organic Nepali teas for our certified line.
How to Brew Tihar Smoked Oolong
- Heat the water: Heat fresh, filtered water to 195°F (just under a rolling boil).
- Measure the leaf: Place 1 teaspoon (2–3 grams) of Tihar loose leaf per 8 oz cup.
- Steep: Steep 3 to 4 minutes; go longer for a smokier, bolder cup.
- Re-steep: Re-steep the same leaves up to 2 times — each infusion deepens the oak smoke and draws out fresh caramel notes.
Caffeine in Tihar Smoked Oolong
An 8 oz cup of Tihar contains roughly 25–45 mg of caffeine — about a third of a cup of brewed coffee. As a semi-oxidized oolong, it delivers an energizing but even lift, and the natural L-theanine in tea leaf is associated with calm, focused energy rather than jitters. For a full breakdown, see our guide on whether oolong tea has caffeine.
Tihar vs. Lapsang Souchong — How They Compare
| Tea | Profile | Smoke Source | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tihar Smoked Oolong (Nepal) | Smoked oak, charcoal, dark caramel; rounded and sweet | Oak | Lapsang fans wanting single-origin; food pairing |
| Classic Lapsang Souchong (China) | Pine smoke, tar, dried longan; sharp and bold | Pine / resinous softwood | Intense smoky tea, traditional style |
Compare Our Nepali Oolongs
| Variety | Flavor Profile | Style | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tihar Smoked Oolong | Smoked oak, charcoal, dark caramel | Oak-smoked, semi-oxidized | Smoky-tea fans, Lapsang alternative |
| Annapurna Amber | Muscatel, caramel, marmalade; award-winning dark oolong | Dark oolong | Complex, layered sipping |
| Dragon Claw | Mellow, sweet, smooth | Hand-rolled golden oolong | Easygoing daily oolong |
| Black Yeti | Apricot, barley, honey | Classic oolong | Sweet, approachable cup |
| Namche | Orchid, wildflower, fragrant | Lighter oolong | Floral oolong lovers |
Browse all our Nepali oolong teas →
Related Nepali Tea Resources
- Shop the full Nepali Oolong Collection
- Nepal Oolong Tea: A Complete Guide to Ilam's Rare Cup
- Best Nepal Oolong Tea for You: A Picker's Guide
- Does Oolong Tea Have Caffeine? (25–45 mg per Cup)
- A Guide to Rare and Unique Small-Batch Teas
- Journey to Ilam: Nepal's Premier Tea Region
- Perfect Food Pairings with Loose Leaf Tea
Why Our Customers Love Our Teas
FAQ about Tihar Smoked Oolong Tea
Everything you need to know before your first cup.
