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Black tea · Jin Hou

Golden Monkey

金猴, Jin Hou

7.8/10 editor's score

A black tea of a bud and first leaf with pale gold threads, from Yunnan and Fujian. Named for leaves that look like monkey claws.

Golden tipsSmoothChina
↓ Jump to brew guideAbout this teaCompare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry leaf of Golden Monkey, top-down

What you need

3 g leafGolden Monkey
250 ml water90 to 95°C
Steep 3:002 steeps
LiquorGolden amber
Served inYixing clay teapot

At a glance

A black tea of a bud and first leaf with pale gold threads, from Yunnan and Fujian.

CaffeineMedium~40 to 60 mg, our estimate
Beginner fit9.0 / 10From the editor's score
HarvestSpringHand-processed each spring [1].
Pairs withScones, Peach tart, BreakfastLess good with very spicy food
Grown atAbout 1,200 mYunnan, Also made in Fujian
Served inYixing clay teapotSmall clay pot, tiny cups

About Golden Monkey

What sources say about the taste

Sources describe light, honeyed peach notes and a lack of astringency 1.

01 · Aroma

First sip

Lift the cup and smell before you drink.

02 · Taste

Middle

Let it sit on the tongue for a moment.

03 · Finish

Finish

What stays after you swallow.

Hover or tap a noteBigger image and more dots mean a stronger note.

Notes and intensities are an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not our own tasting.

Where it grows

YunnanAlso made in FujianCHINA
Origin
Fujian and Yunnan 1
Pick
Bud and first leaf 1
Altitude
About 1,200 m 1
Name
Leaves look like monkey claws 1

More from Yunnan and China.

History and culture

A relatively new tea, about 300 years old 1.

It placed second in its class at the 2009 World Tea Championship 1.

Editor's score

7.8/10

Weighted across six criteria: flavour 30%, heritage 20%, availability 15%, value 15%, beginners 10%, versatility 10%.

Based on published sources, not yet tasted. Rates the tea style, not a brand. How we score →

1086Flavour & complexity: 8.0Origin & heritage: 7.0Availability: 7.5Value: 7.5Beginner-friendliness: 9.0Versatility: 8.0Flavour 8.0Heritage 7.0Availability 7.5Value 7.5Beginners 9.0Versatility 8.0
Taste profile and caffeine

Profile is an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not a lab measurement or our own tasting.

Caffeine

Brewed coffee~95 mg
Golden Monkey~40 to 60 mg
Black tea (average)~47 mg
Green tea (average)~28 mg

Our estimate. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo ClinicC.

Harvest calendar

A spring black tea 1. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

Camellia sinensis buds and first leaves 1.

How it is made
01Plucking

Bud and first leaf 1.

02Withering

Indoors.

03Rolling

Curled into claws.

04Oxidation

Full.

05Drying

Gentle.

Dry leaf and liquor
Dry leafDark curls with pale gold threads 1.
LiquorGolden amber.
After steeping
Wet leafPlump buds and leaves.

The colour swatch is an approximate guide, not a photograph.

Food pairings and storage

Works well

  • Scones
  • Peach tart
  • Breakfast

Best avoided

  • Very spicy food

Pairings are general suggestions from the tea's style, not tested matches.

Storage

  • Airtight, opaque tin or pouch, away from light, heat, moisture and strong smells.
  • Keep it out of the fridge unless fully sealed, to avoid condensation.
  • Most loose tea is at its best within a year. Note the harvest date on the tin.
Grades and fakes

Name used for many black teas 1.

How to spot a poor or fake one

  1. Check the leaf and gold tips.
  2. Sample before buying a lot 1.
FAQ
Is Golden Monkey from Yunnan or Fujian?

Both make it 1.

Find it inBlack teasTeas from ChinaYunnanGolden tipsSmoothChina

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Golden Monkey tea". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Monkey_tea
  2. Mayo Clinic, "Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more". www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372

Scores and content updated 30 Oct 2026.