Today I have received a tea lot from my mainland Chinese friend
includes Keemun Mao Feng(KMF), Hao Ya A and Golden Monkey(GM). No tea
sources satisfy me with this Golden monkey what my friend offers me.
Once I shared this GM with Holly and some other tea mailers. Holly
agreed this one was her best GM experience. Do you remember Holly?

Lately I have observed Keemun is loosing its unique character year
after year as well as Golden Monkey. Is it my imagination or the tea
processing is also facing the same fate as Darjeeling? Lately
Darjeeling is loosing is dark brown color and becoming more greenish.
I am talking about the top grade Darjeeling only. I know the mass
market Darjeeling is still dark brown.

Anyway, I brew and tasted KMF and GM side by side. I don't know why I
am getting so disappointed by the KMF compare to the GM. My friend is
not a vendor he is simply a tea lover as me. He supplied me this GM
after a year. I was pushing him last one year for this tea but he
always said he couldn't manage the quality I was looking for. My
personal opinion is a good GM is more subtle, balanced and full bodied
compare to KMF. The thick, malty, slight spicy, sweet liquor is so
sensual and intense in taste.

My question is did you observe Keemun is loosing its original taste?
My friend also informed me it is getting very difficult to collect
good Golden Monkey now a days. I am planning to try some other vendors
GM because I need 5-6 cups of GM a day. Could you please advice me
some American or European sources you like. I would like to do a
random tasting session on Golden Monkey. I am totally addicted with
this tea now.

Thank you advance,

Ripon
Arlington, VA