First Flush 2025 - Darjeeling TeaCategories1st Flush 2025 Darjeeling Tea
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1st Flush 2025 – Darjeeling Tea

First Flush Darjeeling Tea: The Champagne of Teas

Nestled in the mist-kissed slopes of the Eastern Himalayas, Darjeeling is home to one of the world’s most revered teas – First Flush Darjeeling Tea. Often referred to as the “Champagne of Teas,” this exquisite brew is a connoisseur’s delight, capturing the essence of the season’s first harvest with its delicate floral notes, crisp astringency, and vibrant golden liquor.

The First Flush Magic
The term “First Flush” refers to the very first tender leaves and buds plucked in early spring, typically from late February to mid-April. These young leaves, bursting with vitality after the long winter dormancy, yield a cup that is light, aromatic, and highly prized. Their delicate nature results in a tea that is less oxidized, retaining a fresh, floral character with hints of muscatel—a signature flavor unique to Darjeeling.

Where Heaven Meets Earth: The Growing Conditions

1. The High Himalayan Terrain
Darjeeling’s tea gardens are perched at altitudes ranging from 600 to 2,000 meters (2,000 to 6,500 feet) above sea level. This lofty elevation slows the growth of the tea leaves, allowing them to develop a complex, layered flavor profile that is unmatched in the tea world.

2. Soil: The Nourishing Cradle
The soils of Darjeeling are predominantly loamy, rich in organic matter, and well-drained—the perfect medium for tea cultivation. These soils are slightly acidic (pH between 4.5 to 5.5), which enhances nutrient absorption and contributes to the unique mineral character of Darjeeling tea.

3. Climate: The Essence of Terroir
Darjeeling’s cool, mist-laden climate plays a vital role in shaping the tea’s unparalleled flavor. The region experiences:
  • Spring Showers: Gentle pre-monsoon rains nourish the young shoots.
  • Temperature Variations: The day-night temperature fluctuations slow the leaf metabolism, intensifying the aromatic compounds.
  • Humidity & Mist: These elements allow the leaves to retain moisture, enhancing their tenderness and flavor
The combination of these high-altitude conditions, rich soil, and a unique microclimate creates the elusive and prized First Flush Darjeeling Tea—a gift of nature infused with the purity of the Himalayas.

The Art of Plucking and Processing

First Flush Darjeeling is crafted with meticulous care, where skilled hands pluck only the two tender leaves and a bud to ensure the finest quality. The processing involves:

1. Withering: Freshly plucked leaves are spread out to remove excess moisture.

2. Rolling: The leaves are delicately rolled to release natural enzymes.

3. Oxidation: Minimal oxidation is allowed to preserve the light, floral character.

4. Drying & Sorting: The leaves are gently dried to lock in the flavors before being graded.

This careful handling ensures that every sip of First Flush Darjeeling embodies the freshness of spring, the crispness of the mountain air, and the craftsmanship of generations.

The Cup That Awakens the Senses

A well-brewed cup of First Flush Darjeeling Tea is a symphony of flavors—a bright golden liquor with a floral aroma, subtle muscatel sweetness, and a lingering finish. Best enjoyed without milk, this tea is an experience rather than just a beverage.

Brewing Guide for the Perfect Cup:
  • Water Temperature: 85-90°C (185-195°F)
  • Tea Leaves: 1 teaspoon per cup
  • Steeping Time: 3-4 minutes
  • Best Enjoyed: Plain, to appreciate the nuanced flavors
A Timeless Elixir

Every sip of First Flush Darjeeling is like a whisper from the Himalayas—a delicate yet powerful reminder of nature’s artistry. Cherished by tea lovers worldwide, this tea remains a timeless indulgence, a cup of springtime in liquid gold.

Would you like a sip of this Himalayan poetry in a cup?
Categories2nd Flush 2024 Darjeeling Tea
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2nd Flush 2024 – Darjeeling Tea

Darjeeling 2nd Flush tea is a highly prized variety of tea harvested in the Darjeeling region of India. The “second flush” refers to the second harvest period, typically occurring between late May and June. This period follows the first flush, which happens in the spring.

What sets Darjeeling 2nd Flush tea apart is its distinct flavor profile. It is known for its fuller body, richer taste, and more robust character compared to the first flush. The tea leaves often develop a characteristic muscatel flavor, reminiscent of muscat grapes, with notes of stone fruit, nuts, and sometimes a hint of spice. The liquor of the tea is usually amber or darker golden in color.

The unique flavor of Darjeeling 2nd Flush tea is attributed to several factors, including the specific climatic conditions of the region, the elevation at which the tea is grown, and the traditional methods of plucking and processing the leaves. The cooler temperatures and higher altitudes contribute to the slower growth of the tea plants, allowing the leaves to develop more complex flavors.

Darjeeling 2nd Flush tea is often enjoyed without milk to fully appreciate its nuanced flavors. It can be brewed using fresh, boiling water and steeped for about 3-5 minutes. The tea is highly sought after by connoisseurs and is often considered a luxury due to its limited production and exceptional quality.

The best climatic conditions for producing high-quality Darjeeling 2nd Flush tea are characterized by specific temperature ranges, rainfall patterns, and elevation.

1. Temperature:
Ideal temperatures for the second flush period range between 18°C to 25°C (64°F to 77°F). These moderate temperatures, typically found in late May to June, help in the slow growth of tea leaves, allowing them to develop the complex flavors characteristic of 2nd Flush tea.

2. Rainfall:
Adequate rainfall is crucial for tea cultivation, and the period leading up to the second flush usually receives sufficient rain. However, excessive rainfall during the plucking season can be detrimental as it can affect the quality of the leaves. Ideally, the region should receive moderate rainfall to maintain soil moisture without waterlogging.

3. Elevation:
Darjeeling tea is grown at elevations ranging from 600 to 2,000 meters (2,000 to 6,500 feet). Higher altitudes contribute to the unique flavor profile of the tea due to cooler temperatures, slower leaf growth, and more intense sunlight, which enhances the development of aromatic compounds in the tea leaves.

4. Soil:
Well-drained, slightly acidic soils rich in organic matter are ideal for tea cultivation. The unique terroir of the Darjeeling region, including its soil composition, plays a significant role in the distinctive taste of the 2nd Flush tea.

5. Sunlight:
Adequate but not excessive sunlight is beneficial. During the second flush, the tea plants should receive sufficient sunlight to support photosynthesis and the growth of new leaves, but prolonged exposure to intense sunlight can stress the plants.

6. Humidity:
Moderate humidity levels are preferred, as extremely high humidity can lead to fungal diseases, while very low humidity can stress the plants.

In summary, the combination of moderate temperatures, adequate but not excessive rainfall, high elevation, well-drained acidic soil, and balanced sunlight and humidity creates the optimal conditions for producing the prized Darjeeling 2nd Flush tea. These conditions help develop the tea’s characteristic muscatel flavor and rich, full-bodied profile.
Darjeeling 1st Flush 2024 TeaCategories1st Flush 2024 Darjeeling Tea
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1st Flush 2024 – Darjeeling Tea

First Flush Darjeeling teas are revered for their exceptional quality and unique characteristics. Harvested from the first plucking of the season, typically between early March and April, these teas embody the essence of the Himalayan region.

Renowned for their delicate flavor profile, first flush Darjeeling teas are prized for their floral notes, subtle sweetness, and brisk, refreshing taste. The leaves, meticulously hand-picked from the youngest shoots, yield a brew with a light golden hue and a fragrant aroma that evokes the freshness of spring. Considered the champagne of teas, first flush Darjeeling teas offer a transcendent drinking experience cherished by tea enthusiasts worldwide.

During this harvest, the optimal temperature variance between daytime and nighttime ranges from 9 to 12 degrees Celsius. Early first flush teas predominantly feature clonal varieties such as AV2, P312, and BB157, chosen for their rapid growth compared to the slower-developing China variety. This period sees the production of some of the world’s finest black, green, white, and oolong teas in darjeeling,with select batches fetching record-breaking prices.

As always, we eagerly anticipate sampling the world’s premier first flush Darjeeling teas this year. With over three generations of experience in the trade and our location in Darjeeling, we possess intimate knowledge of the garden subdivisions that yield the finest tea bushes, resulting in the most exquisite Darjeeling teas of the season.

We invite all Darjeeling tea enthusiasts to regularly visit our website for fresh arrivals of first flush 2024 Darjeeling teas throughout the season. We assure the highest quality standards, with the best batches available for your enjoyment. We extend our gratitude to our loyal customers for their unwavering support over the years and their appreciation of our commitment to excellence.

Rest assured, we pledge to once again deliver the epitome of Darjeeling teas.
Autumn Flush 2023CategoriesAutumn Flush 2023 Darjeeling Tea
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Autumn Flush Darjeeling Tea 2023:A Seasonal Delight

Autumn Flush Darjeeling Tea, often considered the unsung hero of the Darjeeling tea world, offers a unique and delightful experience for tea enthusiasts.

While not as well-known as its spring and second flush counterparts, the autumn flush holds a distinct charm of its own.

Harvesting Season:

The Autumn Flush occurs from late October to November, as the leaves mature and undergo a transformation in flavor and aroma. This period, marked by cooler temperatures and reduced rainfall, imparts distinct characteristics to the tea.

Flavor Profile:

Autumn Flush Darjeeling teas are known for their rich, full-bodied taste. The flavor is less delicate than the first flush and less brisk than the second flush, making it ideal for those who prefer a heartier cup. Expect notes of muscatel, ripe fruit, and even a subtle spiciness, creating a well-rounded taste that lingers on the palate.

Aroma

The aroma of Autumn Flush Darjeeling tea is often described as warm and earthy. It carries hints of woodiness, dried fruits, and sometimes floral undertones, giving it a complex and inviting scent.

Appearance:

The liquor of this tea is typically darker in color, ranging from amber to deep orange, reflecting its seasonally-induced robustness.

Best Brewing Practices:

To fully appreciate the qualities of Autumn Flush Darjeeling tea, it’s recommended to brew it at a temperature of around 90°C (194°F) for 3-4 minutes. The use of fresh, pure water is essential to bring out the tea’s nuanced flavors.

Versatility:

While Autumn Flush Darjeeling teas are excellent on their own, they also pair well with a variety of foods, making them a versatile choice. They complement both sweet and savory dishes, making them suitable for any time of day.

Limited Availability:

Compared to the more prominent spring and second flush Darjeeling teas, autumn flush varieties are relatively limited in quantity. This scarcity adds to their appeal for those seeking a unique and seasonal tea experience.

In conclusion, Autumn Flush Darjeeling tea may not enjoy the same fame as its spring and second flush counterparts, but it offers a distinctive and rewarding tea-drinking experience. Its rich flavor, warm aroma, and versatility in pairing with various foods make it a hidden gem for tea connoisseurs who appreciate the subtleties of seasonal variations in Darjeeling tea. Don’t miss the opportunity to savor this delightful, earthy cup of tea during its short-lived autumn season.
2nd Flush 2023 Darjeeling Tea by Tea EmporiumCategories2nd Flush 2023 Darjeeling Tea
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2nd Flush 2023 – Darjeeling Tea

The 2nd Flush Darjeeling Tea is a type of tea that is harvested during the second flush season in the Darjeeling region of India. It is characterized by its fuller body, stronger taste, and more complex flavor profile, with notes of fruit, flowers, and spice. The leaves used to produce second flush Darjeeling tea are generally more mature, resulting in a darker liquor and a richer taste.

During this period of time the muscatel character in Darjeeling tea becomes more prominent in it’s teas due to various factors.

Muscatel Darjeeling tea is a type of second flush Darjeeling tea that is particularly prized for its unique flavor profile, which is often described as having a musky or grape-like quality. This distinctive flavor is believed to be the result of a combination of factors, including the varietal of tea plant, the climate and soil conditions in the Darjeeling region, and the processing techniques used.

To make muscatel Darjeeling tea, the leaves are typically harvested by hand and then withered to remove some of the moisture content. They are then rolled to break down the cell walls and release the flavor compounds. After rolling, the leaves are left to oxidize, a process that allows the enzymes in the leaves to interact with the air and produce a range of flavor and aroma compounds. Finally, the leaves are dried and sorted to remove any stems or other debris before being packaged for sale.

The specific techniques used to produce muscatel Darjeeling tea can vary depending on the individual tea estate and the preferences of the tea maker. However, all high-quality muscatel Darjeeling teas share a similar flavor profile that is prized by tea lovers around the world.

As usual our team will do their best to procure the top notch quality 2nd Flush 2023 Darjeeling teas chosen by our master tea tasters for our list during the harvest season and we assure highest quality standards for all our offered teas.
1st Flush 2023, Darjeeling TeaCategories1st Flush 2023 Darjeeling Tea
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1st Flush 2023 – Darjeeling Tea

The 1st Flush Darjeeling Tea harvest is the first plucking season after the long and cold winters in the Darjeeling hills which starts at the end of the winter or at the early spring. Only two leaves and a bud is carefully plucked by the expert tea pluckers to produce the optimum quality product during this season. The plucked two leaves and a bud are so tender and young that they are minimally processed to keep the ornamental value and aroma intact. Also due to this factor first flush Darjeeling teas are very healthy since it contains Theanine which makes the immune system strong.

The visual appearance of a good quality first flush Darjeeling tea is greenish and tippy. When steeped first flush Darjeeling teas gives out bright yellow or orange color liquor in the cup and the flavour profile is very flowery with mild astringency at the end of each sip.

The ideal temperature difference between the day and night during this harvest is 9-12 degrees Celsius. The early first flush teas are mostly made with clonal varieties like AV2, P312, BB157 etc. since the growth is rapid in these varieties of tea bushes than the china variety (bushes grown from the seeds). Some of the world’s most high quality black, green, white & oolong teas are made during this period and also some of the batches fetches world record prices during this harvest.

As usual we are looking forward to taste some of the world’s best quality 1st Flush Darjeeling teas this year and choose the best teas for our list this year and since we are based in Darjeeling and have been in this trade for more than 3 generations now we exactly know the different sections or subdivisions of the gardens which have the best tea bushes which conceives the best raw leaves to produce some of the most delicious Darjeeling teas during this season.

We request all Darjeeling tea lovers to keep visiting our website for fresh and new first flush 2023 Darjeeling teas that will keep coming all throughout the season. The best of the best batches will be offered and highest quality is guaranteed. We thank all our tea lover friends who have supported us for so many years by buying our teas each season and complemented us for highest quality standards.

We will once again bring you the best Darjeeling teas, that’s a promise!
Darjeeling Autumn Flush 2022 by Tea EmporiumCategoriesDarjeeling Tea
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Autumn Flush 2022 – Darjeeling Tea

The Autumn Flush is the last harvest of the year and one of the most important harvest for the Darjeeling tea industry. This harvest starts mostly after the Diwali festival or starting of November and ends by next 3-4 weeks.

After the prolonged monsoon harvest which stretches from end of July to mid weeks of October, the humidity in the air is less and we get to see clear blue skies with fair amounts of sunshine and cold breeze which means the winter is about to come.

During this period of time the tea bushes conceives new shoots and buds. The day and night temperature difference should be about 9 degrees Celsius for a good Autumn tea harvest. The Autumn teas are mostly dehydrated in leaf appearance. The flavour profile is much sweeter than the monsoon teas and has a strong and distinct after taste. Unfortunately this harvest lasts for a short period of time and some of most delicious world class Darjeeling teas are made during this period.

We have been tasting a lot of tea samples from various tea gardens of Darjeeling and only the best Autumn Flush 2022 teas will be chosen for our list.

We request all our tea lover friends to keep visiting us for latest updates on our new list of Autumn Flush 2022 Darjeeling teas.
2nd Flush 2022 Darjeeling TeaCategoriesBlack Tea
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Darjeeling Muscatel 2nd Flush 2022 Tea

The 2nd Flush 2022 Darjeeling tea harvest has finally started in all the tea estate of Darjeeling. We had a very good 1st Flush Darjeeling Tea harvest this year compared to last few year’s harvest.

The 2nd Flush harvest in Darjeeling usually starts from the 3rd week of May and extends till the monsoon sets in during the months of July. The peak time or the time for the production of best 2nd Flush Darjeeling teas are from the mid weeks of June to the end of June.

Muscatel character

The 2nd Flush harvest is famous for it’s muscatel character. Tea experts around the globe compare it with the muscat wine or the muscat grapes and they also claim that this character cannot be replicated by any other tea growing areas around the world.The muscatel character is known to be achieved due to the damage done to the leaves during this time of the year by insects known as jassids and thripes. It is said that when the leaves are damaged they are in the dehydrated form on the tea bushes and when these kind of leaves are plucked in the right climatic and soil conditions and also the right kind of treatment is given to the leaves then the world famous muscatel character/teas are achieved during this harvest.

It also takes many year’s tea tasting skill to identify the right muscatel teas because some teas which are also produced during the dormant period or in between flush looks and smells a bit similar to this character but our tea lover friends do not need to worry as we have been tasting Darjeeling teas for more than 50 years and we know our choice of teas very well.Only the best teas will be procured and offered as usual.

A well made 2nd Flush Darjeeling tea should be coppery in appearance with golden and silver tips.The dry leaves should have a chocolate and spicy sweet notes.The cup should give out golden orange liquor. Each sip should be round, fruity- floral, musky and sweet without any bitterness.

Glenburn Moonshine, 1st Flush 2022CategoriesBlack Tea
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Glenburn Moonshine Elite

Glenburn Tea Estate is a tea garden in the Rangli Rangliot CD block in the Darjeeling Sadar subdivisionof the Darjeeling district in the Indian state of West Bengal.

It has been many years since we are offering excellent quality Darjeeling teas from this beautiful tea garden of Darjeeling and once again we are very happy to have this particular batch of 1st flush 2022 Moonshine Darjeeling tea in our list this year.       

The Glenburn tea estate started its tea production from the 1st week of March this year. Since we had the opportunity to taste almost all the batches this year,we could see how the team of tea makers of this estate had mastered the art of making excellent 1st flush 2022 teas.

 

Most of the batches were made from the various clonal bushes that are planted in the estate, specially plucked from the pruned bushes which conceived the tender shoots and buds during the early spring harvest. We tasted each batch and really appreciated each of them till we came across the EX-12 batch.The moment we tasted this batch we were sure that we had to get this batch in our list. We can certainly assure that this is one of the best batch of 1st flush 2022 Darjeeling tea that tea lovers will come across this year.

What about the Tea?

A super quality early season 1st flush 2022 Darjeeling tea,hand plucked by the expert tea pluckers of this garden from the pure AV2 clonal bushes grown at the section no.12 of the Kimble division of this world famous garden of Darjeeling. This special batch of premium 1st Flush Darjeeling tea is manufactured at night under controlled temperatures for it’s attractive appearance and optimum flavour.

 

The dry leaves are kept bold in size and has a lot of unbroken silver tips in it.The dry leaves gives out delicious notes of white chocolates,vanilla and sweet sugarcane with undertones of roasted nuts and dry forest leaves.

 

When steeped for complete 5 minutes the cup gives out bright yellow liquor.Each sip is super smooth which reminds of dry coconuts,fresh white roses and jasmine flowers with a hint of fennel seeds,honey and citrus.

 

A great batch of Darjeeling tea to enjoy throughout the day, Incase; you would love to purchase this tea, please do click here – Glenburn Moonshine Elite – Darjeeling 1st Flush 2022.

1st Flush 2022CategoriesUncategorized
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Darjeeling 1st Flush 2022 Tea

As we are passing through the early weeks of February 2022 this year we have witnessed many rain showers with snowfall at regular intervals in Darjeeling. It is indeed a very good sign for a very good 1st Flush Darjeeling Tea harvest which will start from the early weeks of March 2022 this year, we are hopeful that we might not see a draught like situation this year during this harvest.

We are looking forward to select only the best 1st flush Darjeeling teas as usual from premium tea gardens of Darjeeling. We might add some new tea gardens to our list and remove some from our list this year depending on the highest quality teas that they produce this year.

Why First Flush is Expensive

There are some regular question that we receive from our customers that why are some 1st Flush Darjeeling teas much expensive than others? This is because we select most of our 1st Flush Darjeeling teas from the early harvest, when the pruned bushes starts conceiving the new and tender shoots and buds during the early spring harvest. Only the trained tea pluckers can carefully pluck these wonderful shoots and buds and further produce a fantastic batch of premium tea.

As I have mentioned in some of my previous blogs that good teas always mature with time and one can also enjoy a fantastic cup of our 1st flush Darjeeling teas even after 1 year from purchase. So, these teas are limited in stock, highest in quality and even we have to purchase these lots of fine teas at high prices hence,these teas are slightly high in price than most of the other teas in our list.
It is still very cold in Darjeeling when I am writing this blog and I am still keeping myself warm with a cup of Darjeeling tea. We are looking forward to receiving samples from various tea gardens of Darjeeling once the spring harvest starts.


We are looking forward to procure and offer the best 1st Flush 2022 Darjeeling teas which this harvest season has to offer this year!