what is second flush tea?
A âflushâ is a term which applies generally to Darjeeling teas and refers to a specific harvest of the tea leaves within the year. The âfirst flushâ relates to the first crop taken in the spring, whilst the âsecond flushâ is the second batch of leaves picked at the end of the summer. Some farmers take a third yield of tea (and usually the last of the year) after the end of the summer, this third crop is called the âautumn flushâ. More rarely there can be smaller intermediate flushes between the first, second and autumn â although this is dependant on the timings and strength of the monsoons.
First Flush (Late March â May): The tea from the first flush is generally a lighter, crisp tea with a more delicate flavour compared to the second flush. The first flush will brew a golden amber color whilst a second flush will be deep amber to brown.