Golden Monkey Pre-Qingming Pure Buds: characteristics and origin
One of the finest black teas (Hong Cha) produced in the world today and one of the oldest black teas manufactured in China. Golden Monkey Pre-Qingming Pure Buds stands out in particular for the selection of its buds and the care taken during harvesting, characteristics that result in a black tea of great finesse, aromatic complexity and low astringency.
Aunque existen Golden Monkeys procedentes de varias regiones de China, son los de Fujian y Yunnan los considerados de mayor calidad. Este en concreto procede de la reconocida zona ecológica de Songxi, en Fujian, y pertenece a un lote muy limitado de tan solo 5 kg.
Su carácter está estrechamente relacionado con el cultivar utilizado para su elaboración: Fuding Da Bai, una variedad especialmente reconocida en el mundo del té por sus grandes brotes vellosos y que, aunque tiene una importancia fundamental en la producción de tés blancos, también permite elaborar tés negros de alta gama como este Golden Monkey.
About the variety
The Fuding Da Bai cultivar was selected in the early 20th century in Fuding and was later recognised as the national standard cultivar for the production of white teas. It was chosen for its large, downy buds and its excellent adaptation to Fujian’s subtropical climate.
It is currently grown not only in Fujian, but also in other tea-growing provinces of China and in South-East Asia. It is used to produce the famous white teas Silver Needle (Baihao Yinzhen) and White Peony (Bai Mudan).
Characteristics of the plant
Fuding Da Bai is characterised by its vigorous growth, relatively large leaves and dense downy hairs (trichomes) covering its tender shoots. This fine downy covering gives it its distinctive silvery appearance.
The variety thrives at altitudes of between 200 and 800 metres and prefers humus-rich, acidic soils with high humidity and abundant rainfall.
The high levels of amino acids and polyphenols in the leaves contribute to the mild sweetness, complexity on the palate and a complex aromatic profile in the teas produced from it.
Typical agronomic characteristics
– Large, robust shoots with abundant downy hairs.
– Medium to large leaf size.
– Strong spring harvest.
– Good resistance to environmental stress.
– High adaptability to the various regions where tea plants are grown.
Importance in white tea production
Fuding Da Bai is considered the genetic origin of many of China’s classic white teas. Its varietal characteristics, particularly the quality and abundance of its tender buds, have contributed to its importance in the production of some of the country’s most renowned white teas.
The variety has played a decisive role in Fuding’s international reputation as a centre for the production of Chinese white teas.
Distribution and influence
Although originating in Fuding, the variety is now grown and has spread to neighbouring tea-producing regions, such as Zhenghe and Jianyang, as well as to other provinces, including Yunnan.
Fuding Da Bai is frequently used as a standard reference in tea research, cultivation programmes and quality assessment in China.
Its use in the production of black tea
Although it is particularly renowned for its use in white teas, Fuding Da Bai is also used to produce high-end black teas. Its downy spring buds are particularly well-suited to premium ‘golden tips’ such as Golden Monkey, Golden Bud and certain Gongfu black teas.
These teas typically display the following characteristics:
– An abundance of golden buds.
– Aromas of honey and malt.
– Sweet floral aromas.
– A smooth liquor with low astringency.
