Imperial Golden Monkey ZP85

I think my taste buds are off or i’m just really exausted..maybe both. Had this in the morning and all i can remember thinking is “holy chocolate batman.” I gulped it down in no time flat so i’ll be looking forward to having some time to actually sit down and pay attention to this one as i think it could be another solid black staple.

Got a sample of this one in a package from SimplyJenW… yay for continuing my black tea education! I’ve had one other Golden Monkey before, and that was Harney’s. That one I first tried way back when I really wasn’t into unflavored black teas at all, but I liked it pretty well (but not enough to seek out others).

The dry tea for this smells malty and hay-ish. When I smelled this and the Harney version back to back, this one smelled brighter and the Harney one smelled more caramelly. When steeped, this tea has a nice depth to the aroma. It smells honeyed and yes, a bit like dried apples. Also some toasty grains, a bit. Other people have said “tart apples” in tasting notes for this one, and I think I get that… it’s definitely kind of fruity as well as a bit alfalfa-y. There are some light chocolatey notes there, but they’re definitely not the main event. All in all I really enjoy the flavor of this one… except the fact that there is a layer of bitterness over everything. I’m very sensative to bitterness in black teas and this one is oversteeped to my tastes. I definitely need to drop my water temp a smidge next time and see how it goes.

Been testing various Upton black teas lately… mostly the blends, but thought I’d try this out this morning. The leaves look very fancy, for sure.

Added my typical T. of honey to sweeten and the first sip is amazing. Not one itty bitty sign of bitterness anywhere. I am getting a sense that there is already sweetness to this tea, and the honey is blending in nicely.

Amy oh, you were right about exploring non-blend blacks… if this one is any example, I think I might have hit my stride in my quest. This is EXCELLENT. If I really like this one, what’s next? (ponders)

This is a lovely Golden Monkey. Flavorful and balanced, and I really do taste what the description refers to as “apple skin” – specifically granny smith or another kind of green, tart apple. Second steep very good, a little sweeter and less tart but extremely flavorful.

Delicious, but different than the dulcet honey of Harney’s GM, which remains my Holy Grail (did anyone else hear that this year’s is not as sweet or did I imagine that? Has anyone tasted it since it has come back in stock?)! This is a very close second, and I’m actually quite pleased to have something a little off the beaten track to drink for a few months (I purchased 125g but I tend to drink these Goldens quick!) :)

The Three Golden Monkeys….

I must be on about cup #8 for China black tea sampling. This one is a good choice, because I currently have three varieties of Golden Monkey in my posession. On smelling all three, this one smells the richest and sweetest, and the other two smell more floral in comparison. (The two in this comparison are Harney’s Golden Monkey, and Adagio’s Golden Monkey.) I do think this is definitely the sweetest and smoothest of the three. It is the apple notes in with the honey and cocoa notes. Really, though, I am pretty much smitten with any Golden Monkey, but this one has me rethinking buying my next bunch from Harney.

Cost comparison: This one is $16.20 for a 125 gram bag or $18.20 for a 125 gram tin, resulting in a cost for the tin of $2 (and it is your choice!) and $3.68 per ounce. Shipping is a flat $4.20 in the US.

Harney is out of stock until Septemberish. They sell 4 ounces for $17 in a tin. Cost per ounce is $4.25. But you can usually find a shipping deal at $25 purchased. (Which is awesome to have such a low minimum for free shipping!)

Adagio is 3 ounces for $15 without a tin. That works out to $5 an ounce. Free shipping starts at $50, or is $3.75 flat rate in the US, unless you live in what they consider a rural area. Then I think it is more like $5.75 flat rate.

Prices might be related differently with greater volumes purchased, but I tend to stick with smaller amounts to make sure it is fresh. I have too many other tea loves to monogamously commit to one Golden Monkey. Really, they are all pretty close, and you are just better off to choose your favorite, or where you are shopping this week! I rank them for taste from best/best to least/best (weird name, but they are all good!) Upton ZP85, Harney, Adagio.

l like the “hints of apple skin” in the product description … this is light, lip-licking tart, and dry. Not enough left in the cup to ice down, but I bet it’s good cold.

Very rich, deep cup. Several layers of taste, somewhat sweet, a bit malty, nice ripe fruit undertones (peach? apricot?) I really like this tea.

This is the first time I’ve tried Golden Monkey and it was pretty darn good.

It reminds me a bit of the other bold, malty black tea that I love from China: Yunnan Gold. Very interesting and bold flavour, but still mellow and not bitter or in-your-face. A nice combo. Let the experiments in Black Tea continue!!!!!

I’ve been looking forward to trying this one for awhile. Before steeping I’m getting a deep chocolatey smell, with a fruity sweetness in the background. After I got it in the cup it smells like the yeast rolls my grandmother makes. The taste reminds me of buttermilk biscuits, roasted nuts, and a hint of cocoa. A little malty tasting too. It’s also tasting a bit like artichoke when I steep it multiple times. Mild lingering tang in the aftertaste. I like this best with a relatively short steep time, lower than boiling temp., and sugar.

So the taste of this one surprised me a little bit. I have the teavana golden monkey that I adore and this one is a bit different. I won’t compare except to note that the Upton golden monkey’s leaves are much smaller but with a similar golden tipped look. When I smell this one, I get caramel and sweetness and as I drink it I find there is an explosion of dried fruit with hints of pear and fig on the palate, though less fruity than I’d imagined. Next there is a bit of tannic astringency rounded in the front of the tongue and on the roof of the mouth, but offset with an interesting earthiness. I really am fond of the taste of this complex cup and I find there might be a taste I’m missing, but in general I am intrigued with the different mouth feel of this one.

I’m surprised that this doesn’t have a higher rating. It is one of Upton’s finest China black teas. Many-layered and well-balanced between sweet and piquant notes. It sells out quickly when it hits Upton’s site.

Delicious with or with out milk. Chocolate-y undertones. One of my all time favorites. I have this for breakfast usually and its strong and not bitter which rules! I use slightly less than boiling since I like to re-steep. You can’t go wrong with Upton’s teas.