It's no secret that I'm an avid tea drinker. I have quite the extensive collection of tea including anything from sweet floral brews to heady and robust infusions.

The one tea I haven't been able to embrace? Lapsang Souchong.

I have never been a fan of smoky flavors. Just try and offer me smoked cheese and see what happens. It just hasn't been a flavor I'm too crazy about to say the least. And smoked meats? Forget it. There's some kind of mental block that wedges itself in my psyche about the meat being coated in carcinogenic smoke vapors. Yet I have no problem eating grilled meats which are more than likely worse.

I digress.

I actually don't mind the flavor of smoked meats and have found that if done right, can be quite tasty.

This has led me to some pretty interesting experiments in the kitchen. Namely, experiments involving tea…perhaps even smoked tea!

So here's where my mad experiments have led me…

Table of Contents

Smokey Lapsang Souchong Marinade

Here's what you'll need for this smokey brew of bold robust flavors:

• 1 cup strongly brewed Lapsang Souchong tea
• ¼ cup of citrus juice either orange, lime, or lemon + the zest (I like lime the best)
• 2 TB sake
• 2 TB rice wine vinegar
• 2 TB tamari
• 2 TB molasses or brown sugar
• 2 TB raw honey
• 1 TB grated ginger (I like to use this tool)
• 2-3 cloves of smashed garlic
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• ½ sea salt
• ½ freshly cracked black pepper
• A dash of crushed red pepper flakes

Loving Preparation - Smokey Lapsang Souchong Marinade

In a large glass bowl whisk together all of the ingredients until well incorporated. Using a high speed blender would be great to use here.

Toss your protein of choice into a glass bowl and cover with the marinade

Marinate for up to 24 hours but at least 1 before grilling, baking, or sautéing the meat.

[yumprint-recipe id='45']Not only will this marinade make your protein of choice taste amazing, it will also make it super juicy and tender so if you're looking for meat that falls off the bone, this is the marinade for you!

Try experimenting with other teas like oolong, earl grey (learn how to make your own here), or even green tea.

For more interesting tea marinade recipes check out this article.