Golden Monkey Black Tea

Golden Monkey Black Tea – Wuyi Fujian Chinese Black Tea

Delicate floral honey, warm caramel sweetness and a beautifully smooth, silky finish. Our Golden Monkey Black Tea is an elegant Chinese loose-leaf black tea from the Wuyi tea-growing region of Fujian Province, China.

Handpicked in April from tender spring growth, this tea is made using carefully selected buds and bud-and-leaf shoots. The young leaves are covered with fine golden hairs, giving the finished tea its attractive golden-tipped appearance.

Golden Monkey is prized for the balance between its rich black tea character and its naturally sweet, aromatic profile. As the leaves infuse, they release inviting notes of honey, flowers and soft caramel, producing a clear amber-gold liquor.

The flavour is mellow yet satisfying, with gentle malty warmth beneath the floral sweetness. A smooth, silky mouthfeel carries the tea towards a lingering finish, making it especially enjoyable without milk or sugar.

Unlike flavoured black teas, our Golden Monkey contains no added honey or caramel. These are natural tasting notes that develop from the tea leaves during processing.

Its delicate fragrance makes it a wonderful choice for a quiet afternoon cup, while its rich, rounded flavour is equally rewarding when brewed in a traditional Gongfu gaiwan.

For anyone who enjoys fine Chinese black tea, Golden Monkey offers a distinctive combination of spring-picked golden tips, Wuyi provenance and naturally sweet flavour.

Tea Name: Golden Monkey Black Tea
Tea Category: Chinese Black Tea (Hong Cha)
Origin: Wuyi, Fujian Province, China
Harvest Season: April / Spring
Harvest Year: Not Specified
Leaf Selection: Tender Buds and Bud-and-Leaf Shoots
Leaf Appearance: Dark Leaves with Fine Golden Tips
Processing: Fully Oxidised Black Tea
Aroma: Floral Honey and Gentle Sweetness
Flavour: Smooth Black Tea, Caramel, Honey and Soft Malt
Liquor: Clear Amber-Gold
Body: Medium to Full, Depending on Brewing
Mouthfeel: Smooth and Silky
Finish: Naturally Sweet and Lingering
Western Brewing: 4–5g / 200ml / 90–95°C / 2–3 Minutes
Gongfu Brewing: 5g / 100–120ml / 90–95°C / 10–20 Seconds Initially
Pack Sizes: 50g, 125g and 250g
Caffeine: Naturally Contains Caffeine

---

What Makes Our Golden Monkey Black Tea Special?

Golden Monkey is a distinctive Chinese black tea style recognised for its attractive golden-tipped leaves and refined natural sweetness.

• Wuyi, Fujian origin: From one of China's best-known tea-growing regions.
• April spring picking: Made from tender early-season tea growth.
• Golden-haired buds: Fine golden tips give the dry leaves their distinctive appearance.
• Careful leaf selection: Buds and young bud-and-leaf shoots contribute to its elegant character.
• Floral honey aroma: Naturally fragrant, without added honey or flavouring.
• Caramel sweetness: Warm, rounded flavour with a gently malty foundation.
• Amber-gold liquor: Clear, inviting and beautifully coloured.
• Silky mouthfeel: Smooth and mellow, with a lingering sweet finish.
• Versatile brewing: Suitable for conventional teapots and Gongfu preparation.
• Pure loose-leaf tea: No added sugar, caramel or honey.

The result is a Chinese black tea with enough depth for a satisfying everyday cup and enough aromatic detail to reward slower, more attentive brewing.

---

What Is Golden Monkey Black Tea?

Golden Monkey is a name used for selected Chinese black teas distinguished by their golden-tipped leaves and carefully shaped appearance.

The style is particularly associated with Fujian Province, where tea growers have a long tradition of producing aromatic black teas from tender spring leaves.

The finished leaves often combine darker oxidised portions with fine golden hairs from young buds.

These golden tips create an attractive contrast and are one of the visual characteristics associated with the style.

Our Golden Monkey comes from the Wuyi region of Fujian and is made from spring-picked buds and young shoots.

It produces a clear amber-gold liquor with a naturally sweet aroma, floral honey notes and a smooth, rounded flavour.

Although Golden Monkey is sometimes compared with Yunnan golden-bud teas, this selection is a Fujian black tea, not Dianhong from Yunnan.

---

Why Is It Called Golden Monkey?

The name Golden Monkey is traditionally associated with the appearance of the finished tea leaves.

The slender, slightly curled leaves and golden-tipped shoots are often compared with the shape or appearance of a monkey's tail.

The golden colour comes from the fine hairs naturally present on tender tea buds.

These hairs become especially noticeable after processing, creating the attractive golden highlights visible among the darker leaves.

Our selection features carefully picked buds and bud-and-leaf shoots with fine golden tips.

The name refers to the tea's appearance and style rather than to an added ingredient.

For Golden Monkey, the most important qualities are not just the golden leaves, but the balance of aroma, flavour, texture and finish.

Here, the golden-tipped spring material produces a fragrant cup with floral sweetness, warm caramel and a silky mouthfeel.

---

From the Wuyi Tea Region of Fujian

The Wuyi tea-growing region lies in northern Fujian Province, China.

It is internationally known for a rich tea-making heritage that includes Wuyi rock oolongs and traditional Chinese black teas.

Different tea styles from this region use different leaf selections and processing methods, producing a wide range of aromas and flavours.

Our Golden Monkey is a fully oxidised black tea made from tender spring-picked growth.

The tea is harvested in April, when young buds and leaves are selected for processing.

The exact harvest year and individual tea garden are not specified for this selection.

Its regional identity is therefore best described as Wuyi, Fujian Province, China.

In the cup, it expresses a delicate floral-honey fragrance, smooth black tea body and lingering caramel-like sweetness.

---

What Is Chinese Hong Cha?

In China, the tea category called black tea in Britain is known as Hong Cha (红茶), meaning red tea.

The name refers to the reddish or amber colour of the brewed liquor.

Hong Cha is made through a process involving withering, rolling or shaping, oxidation and drying.

During oxidation, the tea leaves develop the deeper colours and complex aromas associated with black tea.

Different regions and leaf selections create different styles, from rich and malty Yunnan Dianhong to the floral, elegant black teas of Fujian.

Our Golden Monkey belongs to the Fujian tradition.

Its flavour combines the satisfying body of black tea with a delicate floral fragrance, honey-like sweetness and warm caramel notes.

It is not a Puer tea, a post-fermented Hei Cha or a Wuyi rock oolong.

---

How Is Golden Monkey Black Tea Made?

Golden Monkey begins with tender tea buds and young leaves selected during the spring growing season.

Our Wuyi selection is handpicked in April using bud and bud-and-leaf material.

The fresh leaves are then processed into Chinese black tea.

Black tea production generally includes withering, rolling or shaping, oxidation and drying.

Withering reduces moisture and prepares the leaves for further processing.

Rolling or shaping gives the tea its finished appearance and supports the development of flavour during oxidation.

Oxidation transforms the leaves and contributes to the characteristic aroma and colour of black tea.

Drying completes the processing and stabilises the finished tea.

For Golden Monkey, the result is a dark leaf with attractive golden highlights and a naturally sweet, aromatic character.

Our tea develops a clear amber-gold liquor, floral-honey fragrance and smooth caramel-like finish.

---

Tasting Notes – Floral Honey, Caramel and Silky Sweetness

Characteristic	Description
Dry Leaf Appearance	Dark, slender leaves with fine golden tips
Dry Leaf Aroma	Sweet, floral and lightly honeyed
Infused Aroma	Delicate flowers and warm honey
Flavour	Natural sweetness, caramel and gentle malt
Liquor	Clear amber-gold
Body	Medium to full, depending on brewing strength
Mouthfeel	Smooth and silky
Finish	Softly sweet and lingering

The dry leaves have a delicate sweet fragrance with floral and honey-like notes.

When hot water is added, the golden-tipped leaves gradually open and release a clear amber-gold liquor.

The first sip is smooth and rounded, with gentle malty warmth beneath the floral sweetness.

As the tea develops, caramel-like notes add depth and richness.

The honeyed aroma remains present without overwhelming the natural black tea character.

The texture is silky and mellow, followed by a softly sweet finish.

For a lighter cup, begin with a shorter infusion. For a fuller flavour, increase the steeping time gradually.

Honey, caramel and flowers are natural tasting descriptions, not added ingredients.

---

How to Brew Golden Monkey Black Tea

Golden Monkey is suitable for Western-style brewing and traditional Gongfu preparation.

For the best balance of sweetness, fragrance and body, begin with fresh water at approximately 90–95°C.

Western-Style Brewing

1. Warm your teapot or infuser with a little hot water, then empty it.
2. Add approximately 4–5g of Golden Monkey per 200ml of water.
3. Heat fresh water to 90–95°C.
4. Steep for approximately 2–3 minutes.
5. Strain the leaves completely and serve.
6. Reinfuse with fresh hot water if the flavour remains enjoyable.

For a lighter cup that highlights floral sweetness, begin with 4g and a two-minute infusion.

For a fuller, more rounded black tea character, use 5g and steep closer to three minutes.

Gongfu Brewing

1. Warm a 100–120ml gaiwan or small teapot.
2. Add approximately 5g of Golden Monkey.
3. Heat fresh water to 90–95°C.
4. Steep the first infusion for approximately 10–20 seconds.
5. Pour off completely and enjoy.
6. Continue with fresh hot water, increasing the steeping time gradually.

Gongfu brewing allows the floral, honeyed and caramel-like notes to develop across successive infusions.

Brewing Method	Tea and Water	Suggested Time
Western – Lighter Cup	4g / 200ml / 90–95°C	2 minutes
Western – Fuller Cup	5g / 200ml / 90–95°C	3 minutes
Gongfu – First Infusion	5g / 100–120ml / 90–95°C	10–20 seconds
Gongfu – Later Infusions	Same leaves, fresh hot water	Increase gradually

The tea may provide several enjoyable infusions. The exact number depends on the leaf quantity, water temperature and brewing strength.

Brewing tip: Taste the first cup without milk or sugar to appreciate Golden Monkey's delicate floral-honey aroma and natural caramel sweetness.

---

Golden Monkey vs Yunnan Golden Needle – What Is the Difference?

Golden Monkey and Yunnan Golden Needle are both Chinese black teas with attractive golden-tipped leaves, but they are not the same style.

Our Golden Monkey comes from Wuyi, Fujian Province.

Yunnan Golden Needle, also called Da Jin Zhen, belongs to the Dianhong family of Yunnan black teas.

Golden Monkey is often appreciated for its refined floral sweetness, smooth texture and elegant black tea character.

Golden Needle Dianhong commonly offers a richer malty foundation, pronounced honeyed sweetness and cocoa-like depth.

Our Wuyi Golden Monkey emphasises floral honey, caramel and a silky finish.

For a contrasting Yunnan golden-tipped tea, discover our Yunnan Big Gold Needle Dianhong.

For a tightly curled golden-bud style, explore our Whole Bud Golden Spiral Dianhong.

---

Golden Monkey vs Lapsang Souchong

Golden Monkey and Lapsang Souchong are both associated with the rich black tea traditions of Fujian.

However, they have different leaf styles and flavour profiles.

Our Golden Monkey features selected golden-haired buds and young leaves, producing a naturally sweet, floral and caramel-like infusion.

Lapsang Souchong, also known as Zhengshan Xiaozhong, is a traditional Fujian black tea style that can be produced in smoked or unsmoked forms.

Our Grade A Lapsang Souchong is an unsmoked selection with honeyed fruit, lychee and longan notes.

Choose Golden Monkey for delicate floral sweetness and a silky mouthfeel.

Choose our unsmoked Lapsang Souchong for a fruitier Fujian black tea experience.

---

Explore Other Chinese Black Teas at Great Tea

Chinese black tea offers a wide range of flavours, from delicate floral notes to rich malt and cocoa.

Tea	Origin	Flavour Character
Golden Monkey Black Tea	Wuyi, Fujian	Floral honey, caramel and silky sweetness
Unsmoked Lapsang Souchong	Wuyi, Fujian	Honey, lychee, longan and ripe fruit
Keemun Hao Ya A	Qimen, Anhui	Orchid, cocoa, biscuit and gentle malt
Yunnan Big Gold Needle Dianhong	Yunnan	Honey, rich malt, caramel and cocoa
Whole Bud Golden Spiral Dianhong	Yunnan	Dark honey, baked sugar, malt and cocoa

For another Fujian black tea, discover our Grade A Unsmoked Lapsang Souchong.

For a classic Anhui black tea, explore our Keemun Hao Ya A.

For a richer golden-tipped Yunnan tea, try our Big Gold Needle Dianhong.

---

Is Golden Monkey Naturally Sweet?

Golden Monkey can have a naturally sweet aroma and flavour even though no sugar or honey has been added.

Our selection has delicate floral-honey notes and a warm caramel-like finish.

These characteristics develop from the tea leaves and their processing.

The finished tea contains no added sweetener or flavouring.

Brewing also affects the perception of sweetness.

Shorter infusions may highlight the delicate floral character, while longer steeping can bring out a stronger black tea body and more astringency.

For the best balance, begin with the recommended 90–95°C water temperature and adjust the steeping time to taste.

---

Can You Drink Golden Monkey with Milk?

Golden Monkey can be enjoyed with or without milk, depending on personal preference.

However, we recommend trying our Wuyi selection plain first.

Its delicate floral fragrance, honey-like sweetness and caramel notes are easier to appreciate without additions.

If you prefer milk in black tea, brew a slightly stronger infusion and add a small amount to taste.

For a more robust everyday milk tea, you may prefer a stronger breakfast blend or a fuller-bodied Yunnan black tea.

---

Who Will Enjoy Golden Monkey Black Tea?

This tea is an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys smooth, naturally sweet black tea.

Its floral-honey aroma makes it appealing to drinkers who prefer an elegant, fragrant cup rather than a strongly tannic tea.

It is also well suited to people exploring Chinese loose-leaf tea for the first time.

The attractive golden-tipped leaves and clear amber-gold liquor make it a thoughtful gift for a tea enthusiast.

Gongfu drinkers may enjoy exploring its changing aroma across repeated short infusions.

For everyday tea drinking, a conventional teapot produces a satisfying cup with warm caramel sweetness and a silky finish.

---

Ingredients and Caffeine

100% Chinese black tea leaves (Camellia sinensis).

Honey, caramel, flowers and malt are natural tasting notes, not added ingredients.

As a tea made from Camellia sinensis, Golden Monkey naturally contains caffeine.

---

How to Store Golden Monkey Black Tea

Store the tea in a clean, dry, airtight container away from direct sunlight, moisture and excessive heat.

Keep it away from spices, perfumes and other strongly scented products, as tea can absorb surrounding aromas.

Handle the golden-tipped leaves gently to avoid unnecessary breakage.

Reseal the packaging carefully after each use to help preserve the tea's floral-honey fragrance.

For the best expression of its current aroma and flavour, enjoy the tea within its recommended shelf life.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Golden Monkey Black Tea?

Golden Monkey is a Chinese black tea style known for its golden-tipped leaves and smooth, naturally sweet flavour. Our selection comes from Wuyi, Fujian Province.

Where does Great Tea's Golden Monkey come from?

Our Golden Monkey comes from the Wuyi tea-growing region of Fujian Province, China.

Why is it called Golden Monkey?

The name refers to the distinctive appearance of the finished tea leaves, whose slender shape and golden tips are traditionally compared with a monkey's tail.

When is this tea harvested?

Our Golden Monkey is handpicked in April. The exact harvest year is not specified.

Is Golden Monkey a Yunnan Dianhong tea?

No. Our Golden Monkey is a Fujian black tea from Wuyi. Dianhong is a different Chinese black tea family from Yunnan Province.

What does Golden Monkey taste like?

It has a smooth, mellow black tea flavour with floral honey, warm caramel, gentle malt and a lingering natural sweetness.

Does Golden Monkey contain honey or caramel?

No. Honey and caramel are natural tasting notes. The tea contains no added honey, caramel or flavourings. No added Monkies either!

Is Golden Monkey smoked?

Our Golden Monkey is presented as a floral, naturally sweet black tea, not as a smoked tea.

How do I brew Golden Monkey?

Use approximately 4–5g per 200ml of water at 90–95°C and steep for 2–3 minutes. For Gongfu brewing, use around 5g in a small gaiwan and begin with 10–20-second infusions.

Can I brew Golden Monkey more than once?

Yes. The leaves can be reinfused. Increase the steeping time gradually as the flavour develops.

Can I add milk?

Yes, although we recommend tasting the tea plain first to appreciate its delicate floral and honeyed notes. (Please don't add milk!)

Does Golden Monkey contain caffeine?

Yes. It is made from tea leaves and naturally contains caffeine.

What pack sizes are available?

Choose from 50g, 125g and 250g loose-leaf packs.

---

Discover the Floral Sweetness of Wuyi Golden Monkey

Our Golden Monkey Black Tea brings together fine golden-tipped spring leaves, the tea-making heritage of Wuyi and a beautifully smooth, naturally sweet flavour.

Its amber-gold infusion offers floral honey, warm caramel and gentle malt, with a silky mouthfeel and lingering finish.

Enjoy it in a conventional teapot for an elegant everyday cup or brew it Gongfu style to explore its delicate aroma across multiple infusions.

For another Fujian black tea, discover our Grade A Unsmoked Lapsang Souchong.

For a rich golden-tipped Yunnan tea, explore our Big Gold Needle Dianhong.

For a classic Anhui black tea, try our Keemun Hao Ya A.

Browse more exceptional loose-leaf teas in our Premium & Rare Loose-Leaf Teas Collection.

Choose your 50g, 125g or 250g pack and enjoy the delicate floral-honey fragrance and silky caramel sweetness of Golden Monkey Black Tea.