FullChea - Golden Monkey Tea - Chinese Black Tea Loose Leaf with Gold Tips - Health Tea (8.8oz / 250g)

I'm new to buying Chinese whole leaf teas direct from China, but I'm really excited to take deep dives into some of the best whole leaf teas in the world at really inexpensive prices. This looked like a nice black tea to try out that wasn't very expensive for me. I believe golden monkey tea is a style of black tea made from early harvest tea leaves from Fujian and Yunnan provinces in China. Similar to silver needle white teas, but processed differently to make black teas. Golden monkey gets its name from the gold tips on these leaves. What an absolutely adorable name that's evocative of the Monkey King and his adventures in Chinese mythology and Buddhism. Here's my brewing method: - filtered water boiled to 200-212 in an electric kettle - 3g tea leaves to 3oz water, so I brewed 6g tea to 6oz water for multiple steeps (Edit: for those in the U.S. who want easier measurements, I use about 2 Tbsp of tea to 8-10 oz of water. If you want a less strong flavor, add less tea leaves.) - 5 second wash to open the leaves and remove excess bitterness and astringency, which I hate - 3-5 minute first steep - subsequent steeps brew time was just to taste, so more than 5 minutes Tea Color: clear reddish brown Top scent and flavor notes were earthy, biscuity. Mid-palate notes are sweet and slightly acidic like stone fruit. End notes are sweet and smooth like cream. I like fruit and sweet-tasting teas, so for me this golden monkey black tea is a really pleasant and drinkable breakfast black tea. And you get a TON of loose leaves in this package. So my recommendation is to brew it for strong flavor. If it doesn't hurt your wallet to buy nearly 9 oz of loose tea leaves for $14, you can stand to brew strong cups of the tea for best flavor. And since whole tea leaves can be re-steeped the same day for more great tea, you're getting great flavor and a great deal from FullChea.

This black tea has a wonderful, rich flavor with no bitterness. It brews beautifully and has a smooth, well-balanced taste that’s great on its own (I always drink teas without any addictives). The aroma is inviting, color is clean like an amber, and the quality is evident from the first cup. I’ve really enjoyed drinking it and would definitely purchase again for my daily black tea.

Great Golden Monkey flavor! I feel like I have to use a little more than I usually do for the high quality tea retailer I use. When I use some more it tastes great and as expected. By more I mean instead of 1tsp per cup it’s more like 1.5-2 instead of 1 that I use with the other brand I use. Even at 2tsp it’s still cheaper than the other brand I use. Honestly the directions say 1-2tsp per cup so it’s not like it’s a surprise if I would have read the bag. If you’re not familiar with Golden Monkeys unique flavor. It is very smooth, no strong bitter flavors that you get with a typical black tea. The color is that of black tea that you have seen before, maybe slightly lighter. Very good hot or iced. I usually brew it hot and either drink it or refrigerate it. May also work well as a sun tea but I haven’t tried it that way yet.

Flavorful tea!!!

This is not my first time buying this, the quality is excellent 👍

Golden Monkey is a name used for several teas from different regions along with Monkey Picked Tea and others. I would call this Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong "B" grade though it does have a nice sprinkle of golden tips. It is Also related to Lapsang Souchong and Jin Jun Mei. The highest grades are very rare and expensive from Tongmu Village in Wuyi, Fujian (first home of Lapsang) composed solely of hand picked first spring buds (not an easy feat!). For the price you are getting a very nice Wuyi Zeng Shan with a sweet, chocolatey flavor, full mouthfeel and fine aroma. Brew in short steeps at 190 F in a small pot or gaiwan several times and you can taste the complexity. At this price you can even try it iced: It makes an excellent treat with a pinch of sugar. This tea is a "modern" unsmoked version of Lapsang for those who don't care for the smoke. Been drinking fine Chinese teas for decades and this is a lovely tea at this price point. I love the package as well. It keeps the leaves from being crushed and seals in the flavor. Chinese teas are best appreciated on their own terms using time tested methods to brew. Enjoy!

Tastes good with or without milk.

I rarely write reviews, but I have to praise this black tea. It has a lovely fruity aroma and a pleasant, lingering sweetness. Highly recommended!

Excellent black tea with a smooth, rich flavor and no bitterness. The golden tips are beautiful and the aroma is very pleasant. Brews well and tastes refined, making it perfect for daily tea or special moments. Truly high-quality loose leaf tea.

Good flavor, good tea. No stale smell or taste. I really do like it. On a scale 1 to 10, I’d say 7-8. Not a wow, but a good tea.

very good flavour, I am happy with this purchase

Can't complain really good tea! Was looking for Da Hong Pao but bought this one andim happy really tasty. Specially after one year of Earl grey and grocery stores teas it's like fresh breath! Smell awesome, taste and price/quality.

Taste fantastic, very sweet, some bitterness like cocoa powder, almost apple like. Tons of orange trichomes on the bag. Happy, think it will be a strong contender on my quest to find a daily. It gives me everything I want really.