Golden Monkey Black Tea

Golden Monkey – Fujian Black Tea with Golden Tips (金猴红茶)

Smooth and Sweet Chinese Red Tea with a Bold, Gentle Spirit
Malty • Fruity • Golden-Tipped Elegance

A playful and powerful black tea with golden charm.

Golden Monkey (金猴红茶) is a celebrated Chinese red tea from Fujian Province, made with carefully plucked spring leaves and golden buds. Its name comes from the tea’s curled golden strands, said to resemble the fingers of a golden monkey, and its spirited, lively energy in the cup.

This tea is naturally sweet, malty, and smooth, with soft cocoa and fruit notes, making it ideal for both new and experienced tea drinkers. Golden Monkey is bold without bitterness, rich without heaviness—a perfect daily red tea with classical Chinese elegance.

If you'd like to know what drinking this tea is like, you can read this: Golden Monkey - A Dance of Elegance and Power

Why You’ll Love Golden Monkey

• Made from tender spring leaves and golden buds
• Naturally sweet with notes of honey, cocoa, and dried fruit
• Smooth, mellow body with a rich amber liquor
• Bold yet balanced—no bitterness or harshness
• A classic Fujian red tea ideal for everyday or special moments

Tasting Notes

• Cocoa, honey, and red date
• Malty body with notes of stone fruit and baked sugar
• Light floral lift with a smooth, lingering finish
• Deeply comforting, clean, and rounded

Tea Profile

• Type: Chinese Black Tea (Red Tea, 红茶)
• Style: Golden Monkey (金猴红茶)
• Origin: Fujian Province, China
• Cultivar: Local small-leaf high mountain variety
• Harvest: Spring (1 bud, 1–2 leaves)
• Craftsmanship: Hand-plucked, withered, rolled, fully oxidized
• Appearance: Curled dark leaves with golden tips; rich amber liquor
• Collected: 2025

Processing

Golden Monkey is made using traditional Fujian black tea methods:

1. Plucking – Young bud-and-leaf pairs from spring growth
2. Withering – Softens and concentrates sweetness
3. Rolling & Oxidation – Hand-rolled and oxidized until golden-brown
4. Drying – Low heat drying to preserve natural sugars and aroma

The golden tips add both visual beauty and natural sweetness, making it a favorite among tea lovers worldwide.

Health Benefits

• Gently uplifting—great for morning or afternoon focus
• Naturally rich in theanine, antioxidants, and polyphenols
• Smooth and easy on the stomach
• A delicious coffee alternative with warmth and clarity

Brewing Instructions

Gongfu Method (5 oz / 150 ml)

• Tea amount: 5–6 grams
• Water temperature: 90–95°C / 194–203°F
• Rinse: Optional quick rinse (5 sec)
• Infusions:
• 1st: 25–30 sec
• 2nd: 30–40 sec
• 3rd–6th: Increase gradually
• Tip: Use porcelain or clay to bring out smoothness and aroma

Cup Method (8.8 oz / 250 ml)

• Tea amount: Adjust based on personal preference for tea strength.
• Water temperature: 90°C / 194°F
• Steep time: 2.5–3 minutes
• Re-steep: 2–3 times
• Note: Delicious both plain and with a splash of milk, if desired

Cultural Significance

Golden Monkey is one of the most iconic black teas from China, prized for its approachable richness and bright character. Its golden strands symbolize playfulness, vitality, and clarity—and its reputation has made it a favorite both in China and abroad.

Whether you’re new to Chinese tea or a seasoned red tea drinker, Golden Monkey offers warmth, elegance, and dependable daily joy.