Come May, Darjeeling's famed "Summer Flush" unfolds. Lush tea leaves, boasting a purplish bloom and delicate silver tips, are harvested from various gardens across the region. This Second Flush brews a captivatingly fruity tea. The liquor boasts a round, smooth, and mature character, with a pronounced muscatel flavor that surpasses even the First Flush. As the season progresses, the infused leaves take on a vibrant copper or purple hue, releasing a rich and full-bodied aroma.
Following the delicate First Flush, Darjeeling awakens with its vibrant Second Flush, the region's second-largest harvest. This period, typically lasting from late May to mid-July, sees tea bushes rejuvenated after their initial spring flush, producing leaves brimming with bold flavors. This is when the iconic Darjeeling Muscatel truly shines.
The secret to this distinct muscatel character lies in the chinary tea variety, traditionally used in Darjeeling. While modern clonal cultivars offer fruity notes, chinary leaves develop a more pronounced muscatel profile, reminiscent of fresh plums and hints of caramel. The resulting liquor is full-bodied and captivating, with a delightful sweetness, fruity notes, and a touch of buttery richness.
Compared to the floral elegance of the First Flush, the Darjeeling Second Flush bursts with a symphony of fruit flavors. The 2024 harvest promises an especially pronounced expression of the coveted Muscatel character, a true delight for any tea enthusiast.
Authentic Darjeeling Muscatel Teas, such as the esteemed "Castleton Muscatel" and "Margaret's Hope Muscatel," are clearly labeled as "Muscatel" or "Musk." These teas come from chinary tea bushes and closely resemble regular FTGFOP1 teas that lack the true muscatel characteristics.
However, be aware that many non-muscatel teas are falsely labeled and sold online at lower prices as muscatel tea. These are ordinary chinary teas, not the genuine muscatels.
While you may choose to try these misleading teas, we confidently invite you to experience our authentic Darjeeling Muscatel Tea. The difference will be unmistakable. High-quality tea comes at a higher cost, and our teas are no exception.
As a family-owned, local tea company, we personally visit the tea gardens to procure your Second Flush teas. Thank you for supporting us and contributing to the local economy!
High-quality Darjeeling Second Flush Tea from 2024 is distinguished by its appearance. The tea leaves have a prominent chocolate brown color with a delicate purplish bloom, often accompanied by silver or golden tips and buds. When brewed, the tea yields a robust, full-bodied cup with an inviting amber hue. It’s important to note that a darker cup is a natural characteristic of a proper Second Flush Darjeeling Tea and does not indicate oversteeping. Unlike the First Flush, a lighter cup is undesirable during the Second Flush tea season, as it suggests the tea is not a pure Second Flush Darjeeling variety. Clonal teas, although generally lighter than chinary grades, still have a darker, fuller-bodied profile compared to First Flush teas. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand this distinction and not expect clonal teas to be the darkest in color in comparison to it's chinary cultivars.
When infused, the leaves often develop a coppery hue. Overall, Darjeeling Second Flush Tea is celebrated for its full-bodied nature and delightful blend of fruity and nutty flavors.
