Golden Monkey

So naturally sweet and caramelicious! The first steep was a darker, chewy caramel, and this second one is sweeter and yes, milky – in that coating in your mouth sort of way. I used 200 degree water and a 4 minute first steep time – thinking about maybe trying boiling and 5 minutes next time to see if I get more or less caramel. I didn’t get any pepper and am wondering if it’s my slightly cooler than boiling temp and shortish steep time, too. I think I was a little too conservative!! My third steep is a little weak, but still enjoyable.

I’m glad to add another amazing-with-nary-an-additive black tea to my at-work arsenal, and look forward to playing with the steep time and water temp a bit!

The first steep is bold, smooth and stout – a great wake-up type tea (yes, it is 2pm but I do need to wake up). Honestly though, I’m looking forward to the 2nd and hopefully 3rd steep on this one. Last time, I was able to get some serious milkiness from those steeps so I’m hoping I’ll get them this time, too.

I finally get to try this infamous tea that many have been raving about here on Steepster (And Across the Globe) as it IS an award-winner! This cup is possible because of SoccerMom…thanks Chick-a-dee!!!

The smell of it somewhat reminds me of Adagio’s Yunnan Jig…which I am a fan of. The coloring is a fairly dark brown. Oddly enough…I’m getting an after-smell of ‘french fries’ and TRUST ME…that’s NOT a bad thing! :)

The taste is very pure. Semi-bold but even. It’s a little malty. This is very, very good.

As I continue to sip this gem…I realize…this is one of those teas I have been searching for lately…craving…even!!!!

I just want to chew it…
nom, nom, nom…

What a weekend! As some of you might have seen on the news, a good portion of Tennessee is underwater. Tennessee received more rain this last weekend than the TOTAL COMBINED precipitation for the months of May, June, and July (on average). Crazy stuff. Luckily, we did not have too much damage at our house. One bedroom window began to leak on the second day of nonstop rain…and my flowers received a thorough beating. Nothing major though, thank goodness. My office even closed its doors yesterday due to the roads being flooded…or gone. It was a nice little break filled with repairs, cleaning, TV and tea. Speaking of which…

On to the tea. I received this generous sample from SoccerMom. The leaves are quite stunning and fuzzy. The liquor is silky and finishes on a sweet note. I distinctly taste the spicy/peppery note but the malty flavor is absent. There is a slight earthy quality to the tea that I am enjoying immensely. My first cup was finished rather quickly, but the second steep cooled to room temperature. Both steeps were unique and pleasurable. I’m sure I could squeeze out a third steep, but it’s almost time to head home from the office. Yay! I might have to pick up where I left off today. This is a great tea to have on constant standby.

Sigh, this tea is almost gone and such an excellent tea. Smooth with caramel notes and so easy to drink. I wonder how much the golden monkeys get paid to pick it.

Backlog:

Amazing! This month’s steepster select box is the best box that I’ve received from Steepster Select (and I’ve been a subscriber from the start).

This golden monkey is fabulous. Even better than fabulous. One of the very best black teas I’ve yet to taste. Definitely earning its 100 rating from me.

LOVE!

Steepsterrrrrrr. I miss and love you.

I have been on a tea-buying hiatus, and as such am not writing tasting notes, while I feverishly try to dispose of (read: drink) a rather remarkable surplus of tea in my cabinet.

However, I needed to write something today to give people a heads-up. Anyone near NYC ought to be aware of the following:

“Harney & Sons in SoHo, 433 Broome Street (between Crosby and Broadway), will pour free cups of tea and hold discussions with experts about the culture at tea this weekend. On Saturday, James Norwood Pratt, author of “Tea Dictionary,” will speak about tea between 4 and 6 p.m. On Sunday, John and Michael Harney join the discussion and guests can sip tea before a screening of the documentary “The Meaning of Tea” at 7 p.m.”

If I were closer to NYC than Cambridge, I would totally go!

Also, my cup of golden monkey was delicious this morning. ;) And now, back to the trenches of my word processor!

So after a day of Cotton Candy which have I mentioned is MARVELOUS .. I really just needed to get back to the basics..the roots…the taste of something not so sticky sweet but really top notch NUM. I hate the way that sounds because my day with Cotton Candy was delightful and I struggle to find the right way to say this without diminishing how wonderful CC was but I just needed something on the totally opposite end of the tasting spectrum. Now I will say this cuppa is also sweet – but in such a different way. Oh I am tired and only having this caffeine now because I am waiting on my 18 year old son to get here from his place for an early apportionment he has to be at in the morning in town here – he is 20 minutes away.
Long story longer huh? Anyway I guess he forgets we are not all 18 anymore and need rest! Then again if I had not had my schedule change recently I would be ready to keep rockin at this hour. ANYWAYYYYYY …
this tea is so delightful….creamy….milky….sweet….brothy….malty….most keywords have been spoken for in other reviews. A hint of honey and maybe chocolate? Maybe. So tired….but this is just what I needed to keep rollin until the “young adult” gets here.
Thanks Steepster Select for including this gem in your monthly package!

Sipdown!

I finished the Golden Monkey I had in my stash this morning and drank it on the way to work. I do love this tea. It has such a nice sweetness.

What other golden monkey teas have you tried and liked?

Thank you LiberTEAS for this wonderful sample!

There is not much to add to the many others that have commented on this great tea. Plain and simple, it is a very delicious and delightful tea!

This tea is very smooth, even if you decide to steep it a couple extra minutes (of which I tried and found no strong bitterness; only a continued satisfying richness).

One finding however: It seems that a shorter steeping (2mins or less) produces an Assam-like flavored liquid – so I personally recommend steeping 4mins+.