GOLDEN MONKEY TEA | Orange Pekoe Tea

INGREDIENTS: Golden Monkey Tea

CAFFEINE LEVEL: High

STEEP at 212° for 3 minutes

REPLACEMENT FOR: Teavana Golden Monkey Tea

What is Golden Monkey Tea?

Golden Monkey tea, also referred to as Orange Pekoe tea, is a robust black tea cultivated in China's Fujian province. It is widely regarded as one of the most superior black teas by many individuals.

People also refer to Golden Monkey tea as Jin Hou tea. The name "Jin Hou" translates to "Golden Monkey," which reflects the appearance of the tea leaves. The fuzzy gold tips and the shape of the leaves mimic the claws of a monkey.

Each spring, the loose tea is hand harvested by carefully picking one tea leaf and one bud off the tea plant. Whereas the standard method is to pick the top two tea leaves and one bud. The best Golden Monkey tea is usually more expensive than regular black tea. This is because it has a high concentration of tips or leaf buds.

What is Orange Pekoe Black Tea?

Orange Pekoe black tea is a classification of black tea that refers to the size and quality of the tea leaves. It is not a specific type of tea but rather a term used to describe a range of black teas made from the young leaves and buds of the tea plant.

The term "Pekoe" is derived from the Chinese word for "white down," which refers to the fine hairs on the young tea leaves. Orange Pekoe teas are typically characterized by their bright, brisk flavor and are often used as a base for blends.

What does Golden Monkey tea taste like?

Orange Pekoe tea, or Golden Monkey loose leaf tea, is a complex black tea. It is known for its sweet and complex flavor profile, making it a popular choice among tea enthusiasts.

The initial taste begins with a malty scent and flavor with a mild honey sweetness. As the tea cools down, the flavor unfolds. Roasted apples, walnuts, cocoa, and spices give it a sweet and savory aroma. Orange Pekoe tea is full-bodied with a gentle, refined flavor with subtle smoky undertones. 

Only the buds that are fully developed but unopened are harvested for Golden Monkey tea. This is because the buds have more sugar at this stage. The bud stores sugar to aid in the development of the entire leaf. Consequently, the tea produced tends to be sweeter and less bitter than the majority of black teas, due to its reduced tannin concentration. 

How much caffeine is in Golden Monkey black tea?

The tips or buds of the plant contain a higher content of caffeine. Because of the high concentration of tips or buds, Golden Monkey tea tends to have more caffeine than other similar black teas.

How to brew Golden Monkey Tea

We recommend steeping Golden Monkey Tea at 212° for 3 minutes.

Every tea is different when it comes to brewing time. Vary the steeping time based on your own personal taste to discover its unique character on subsequent infusions. This tea is a complex black tea that can be enjoyed for multiple infusions.