Tea of the Year: Teavana’s Monkey Picked Oolong

Happy New Year, tea friends! Did you know that 2016 is the Year of the Monkey?

I happen to be born in the year of the Monkey, and apparently this year isn’t predicted to be my best. That being said, I’m glad I rarely pay attention to Chinese Zodiac signs, because I’m definitely planning for this year to be better than last!

With all this talk of monkeys, I was thinking that we should kick things off with a Monkey Picked Oolong, also known as Ti Kuan Yin or Iron Goddess of Mercy. This time, the tea is from Teavana, America’s most accessible tea shop. Legend has it that in ancient times, Chinese Bhuddist monks trained monkeys to pick only the best leaves from wild tea trees.

Nowadays, the name monkey picked is meant to indicate an oolong of the highest grade. As such, this isn’t the cheapest tea, so you’ll want to make sure to steep it correctly. My first steeping following the instructions on the package resulted in an astringent, overly robust brew–good if you like your tea stronger, but definitely on the harsh side.

I had better luck steeping this at a lower temperature and in a lesser amount of time. This resulted in a softer, smoother brew with more pronounced orchid essence–a distinct characteristic of many good-quality Ti Kuan Yins. This tea is more vegetal than floral, wonderful if you’re craving a full-flavored oolong with some edge.

Tasting Notes for Teavana’s Monkey Picked Oolong:

BREWING TIPS: Instead of Teavana’s suggested brew time of 195 degrees F, I brewed this at 180-185 F. And instead of 3 minutes, I would suggest a steeping time of 1-2 minutes. Ideally, brew this gong fu style in a gaiwan–this will give you more control and precision in bringing out the tea’s best flavors. Good for up to 3 steepings.

THE TEA: Twisted and crinkled leaves, loosely balled with many in a dragonfly-like shape. The leaves range from medium to dark green. In the unfurled, steeped leaf, you should see whole leaves with reddish-brown edges.

THE SCENT: A sweet, roasted scent like barley grains. Nutty and woody.

THE STEEP: The liquor is a golden honey-yellow, with medium body. Vegetal like collard greens. Grassy in taste with mild floral orchid notes. Lightly astringent on the finish.

GET IT:  At Teavana, online or in stores, and also on Amazon.

FOOD PAIRING: Well…Monkey Picked Oolong goes great with bananas, of course! Hah. Actually, this tea is delicious with savory or spicy foods. For this reason, you’ll often find this tea offered at dim sum. Monkey Picked Oolong is fantastic with my mother-in-law’s tried and true recipe for Chicken Curry Puffs. For those of you sticking to your New Year’s resolutions, the tea is also amazing with Baked Vegetable Egg Rolls, my healthier take on traditional egg rolls.

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ShootingVienna

Oh, guess we are both monkeys haha. I actually never read up horoscopes but I recently read somewhere that in Japan, when making umeboshi during a year of the monkey, they are supposed to be even better and more lucky?! Not sure what they get on about but I hope we are both lucky anyway 🙂

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Bonnie Eng

So does that mean it’s good for you and I to drink/eat umeboshi this year? I’m determined to have a good year, B! If that’s true, I need to get moving on an Ochazuke recipe soon! 🙂 Happy New Year!!

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Regina L. L. Wells

This is one of my staple teas. I love your review, and, yes, you are dead on correct about the steeping. (I don’t typically steep anything as long as recommended on the package because I almost always end up with bitter tea.) I bring my tea kettle to boiling, then let it sit for about 10 minutes before steeping for 2-3 minutes.

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Bonnie Eng

I’m sure you would agree, Regina…when tea is pricey it’s so important to steep it right! Love how Teavana makes it easy to get unique teas at a moments notice! (BTW they were having a big sale this past week, so you might want to check in!). 🙂

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Regina L. L. Wells

Yes, steeping sure does matter (especially the more expensive the tea LOL!). I totally missed the sale. Color me all kinds of sad right now because I have 3 teas I need to stock up on.

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Bonnie Eng

I hope you can try it sometime, Ana! I’ve always been intrigued by the name of this tea, so the bananas were a must. 😉 Happy New Year!

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Bonnie Eng

If it weren’t for you (and Todd!), I would have completely forgotten that 2016 is the Year of the Monkey! This post is thanks to you! 😉

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Buri-chan

I had heard the term “monkey-picked” before, and while I assumed it was not actually picked by monkeys, I did not know much about it. Sounds delicious, though!
I’ve heard that the way to ward off bad luck when it’s your animal year is to wear red on the Chinese New Year (which isn’t until next month). I’m a Dragon and the Year of the Dragon turned out to be a great year for me! Here’s hoping the Year of the Monkey turns out well too.

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Bonnie Eng

Ooo…a Dragon! The most auspicious of them all! Ok, I’m definitely wearing red on Chinese New Year now…thanks for the helpful info! And I think you will love Monkey Picked Oolong when you try it. If you get one that’s less oxidized like this one is, it will have some notes similar to Japanese green tea.

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Christine | Vermilion Roots

I didn’t know that’s what Ti Kuan Yin is also called! Glad to have learned that. I was also born in the year of the monkey, but there are rumors that I could be a hybrid of a monkey’s head and a goat’s tail. 🙂

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