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Congou recommendations?

I'm mostly an oolong and green tea drinker, but last year I decided to try out some plain black teas and ordered Golden Yunnan Imperial and Keemun Hao Ya A from Upton Tea Imports. I really liked the strong spicy/peppery tones that stood out from the smooth, sweetish body of Golden Yunnan, while I didn't find the more subtle chocolatey-notes of the Keemun to be interesting enough.

Do you have any recommendation for Congous (or other black teas) similar to but still distinct from Golden Yunnan? I prefer to drink my teas without milk and sugar. I've tried top-quality whole leaf Assam but not found it to be of my taste. I also like true Lapsang Souchong (and Darjeeling, but that's a different category).

Thanks, Caroline

Reply to
Hyllan
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There are some very good Fujian congous, including Golden Monkey and Zhenghe (or Chingwo, depending on how it's transliterated.)

/Lew

Reply to
Lewis Perin

I really like the Zheng from Chado in L.A. - just about the best I've had. Shen

Reply to
Shen

I have been drinking Golden Monkey from Harney & Sons for some months now, and really enjoying it. I drink it without milk and suger.

Jonathan

Reply to
jrodwin

One of my Upton favorites is Organic China Congou Hong Tao #1. To my taste it has lovely flowery notes over a wood/leather body. Not overly smoky, either.

As Lew mentioned, Golden Monkey can be very good, but I've not tasted Upton's current offerings.

I should note that I drink most blacks (and Darjeeling, especially second flush) with a little sugar. IMO strong Indian blacks like Assam or Nilgiri are almost undrinkable without it. As usual, YMMV.

Regards, Dean

Reply to
DPM

Thanks everyone! I've ordered some Golden Monkey from SpecialTeas now, and I'll get back with my impressions.

Reply to
Hyllan

Don't remember whether I'd ever responded to your original post, but SpecialTeas used to have an *excellent* Keemun Hao Ya. Wonder if they still do. Very chocolate-like. And ages beautifully. Their Golden Monkey I remember as being quite good too. Looking forward to your impressions of it. Michael

Reply to
Michael Plant

SpecialTeas used to have an *excellent* Keemun Hao Ya. Wonder if they still do. Very chocolate-like. And ages beautifully. Their Golden Monkey I remember as being quite good too. Looking forward to your impressions of it.

I've now received my teas from SpecialTeas. The handling (6 days until it shipped) was somewhat longer than I deem should be necessary, but the teas are so far excellent. The Golden Monkey is incredibly smooth with a strong cocoa note that gets stronger as the tea cools. I've gotten three flavorful infusions out of it; more than with any other black tea I've tried. Thanks for the recommendation; it scores a second place on my favorite black teas list.

Reply to
Hyllan

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