golden monkey
by adagio teas
(36 reviews)
Golden Monkey or Jin Hou is a famous Chinese black tea whose leaves are said to resemble monkey paws. Golden Monkey originates from the Fujian province of China and is hand-processed each spring with careful plucking of only one leaf and one bud. This Golden Monkey is sweet and very "nosy": savory roasted apples, palm sugar, walnut, cocoa, rye and spice notes that linger as you sip. Rich, coating texture and very smooth, soft mouthfeel are both signs of a quality Jin Hou. This is a very complex black tea and can be enjoyed in multiple infusions, a real treat for black tea lovers. Steep at 212°F for 3-5 minutes
Recent reviews
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John McKenna
A beautiful non astringent nutty and malty flavor here, the way I imagine tea should taste. A perfect morning cup to start my day.
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Zell Maestro
Surprisingly smooth and not astringent at all for a black tea. I would prefer this as a base with other ingredients added because it's a little boring on it's own, but an excellent base tea with a slightly sweet but malty flavor.
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Elise Easterling
Great black tea with a nice cocoa flavor that is enhanced with milk. Be sure not to over steep or use too hot water, this tea can get bitter.
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Julee Kasserman
This is nice. A black tea without the bitter astringency. Could easily pick up on the sweet notes. I could enjoy multiple infusions off one serving. A good come back tea.
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Julie W
A staple black tea in my stash. I love the sweet malty/nutty taste of this tea. Very relaxing and enjoyable.
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K C
Couldn't pick up on most of the notes in the description but did find this to be an earthy/hearty steep that smoothed out with a bit of cream.
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Kelly T
A decadent cup of black tea. Not particularly bitter; I enjoy it without sweetener.
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Janet Ross
A smooth, malty black tea with no bitterness when steeped at 200 degrees for 4 minutes. I got 3 steeps and drank one unsweetened, one with rock sugar, and the third with honey. I liked the honey-flavored one best.
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Cindi Drinks Tea
This is a very yummy black tea that I got a portion sample of, and I'm going to have to get more! I wish my nose and palate were refined enough to get all those intricate notes listed, but I guess I'm just not that cultured, lol. I get mainly a nice strong, malty, honey sweetness that is similar (to me) to a golden Yunnan. Looking forward to successive steeps. Five pinkies up! ;)
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Emily Cargile
This tea didn't really do a whole lot for me. We just had a small sample in our Twelve Days of Christmas tea tin, so maybe I just didn't use enough. I do prefer flavored teas. I am sure this is a great tasting tea though! Maybe I can try it again soon. It seemed unremarkable to me though overall.
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heide cirulli
I found this fine tea to be a bit Nicer in flavor, color and aroma than the Teavania golden monkey- though both are Worth the investment as a connoisseur .
Delightful on the palate
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Michelle McGill
This is one of my very favorite black teas from Fujian Province in China. It is smooth and rich and will not disappoint. There is nothing bland about it and yet it does not overpower the senses, rather it is a delightfully complex cuppa!
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Daniel Baber
Superb most of the time. For those who find it astringent steep for 3 to 4 minutes. Most black teas I do for 5, but I go less with this one. I will try the Harney and Sons one someday, but costs twice as much, and hard to believe it could be better.
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Wally Fowler
I liked it. Not as good as other golden black teas available, but still worth a shot. Still worth a shot in case you like it more than I did
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Kai Dranchak
It's very savory. Has a bit of a plum/fruity after taste. It's got some nice cinnamon spiciness to it. Has a bit of a honey flavor.
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Sky Kutil
Very astringent to me and I don’t get much other flavor but a bitter walnut that I didn’t enjoy
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Rosemarie Logomasini
One of my favorite teas. Mild yet a smooth delicious flavor, hard to describe but I love it!
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Cameron Kilchrist
This is an excellent single-ingredient tea! Definitely one of my favorites out of all the single-ingredient Adagio teas I've tried. It's balanced and a little sweet, perfect to set you up for a great day.
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Molly Adler
This tea had the earthiness of other authentic Chinese teas. It brews nicely.
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Melissa H
I noticed fruit notes in the dry leaves--raisin and lemon. The brewed tea was perky, and, unlike most black teas, I found it enjoyable without milk or sugar.
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Rachel Emmel
I love the golden look of this tea. I steeped it twice, 3 and 4 minutes at a near boil. When I sipped it before adding anything to it my amateur taste really didn't pick up any flavor. I added a bit of sugar and it brought out a smoothness and flavor that was lighter than the Scottish Breakfast (I know that's a mix but I don't really have anything else to compare it to). Whereas the Scottish Breakfast would be a brisk wake-up call, this tea see, to be able to achieve the same goal but in a calmer way - if that makes any sense. I didn't get any bitterness from this.
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Kimberly Hnatko
The smell is rich and chocolatey. It tastes earthy with hints of cocoa or maybe caramel. The taste is more complex and the sweeter notes stand out more with a little sugar added.
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Han lastname
I didn't love this, it's overly astringent, like a black walnut, only not nearly as creamy or sweet. I shouldn't have to add sugar to a good black tea, but this needs it.
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Red Wolfe
Strong, bold, and smooth. The taste was like biting into a very dark chocolate with cocoa nibs and walnuts. Absolutely delicious.
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Michael M
I am a big fan of Dian Hongs and didn't want to like this Fujian as much as I did. It is EXCELLENT.
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MJ
Michael Jacobson
Bold and complex, I absolutely love this tea. Certainly one of my favorites, at the very least!
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Lisa Tawney
This is one of my favorite teas. It has a full, balanced flavor. This is a great breakfast tea and can be enjoyed over multiple infusions.