Autumnal Flush

Autumnal flush teas are harvested after the monsoon rains recede, when cooler temperatures and drier air produce leaves with a distinctly different character from spring and summer harvests. In Darjeeling, autumnal teas are full-bodied with a dark copper liquor, soft mouthfeel, and flavors of mature fruit, caramel, and toasted grain. They lack the bright acidity of first flush and the muscatel punch of second flush but compensate with an approachable, comforting roundness. Autumnal teas are significantly less expensive than first or second flush and represent excellent value for daily drinking. They are also well-suited to milk and sugar, unlike the more delicate earlier flushes. The monsoon flush (July-September), harvested during the rainy season, is considered the lowest quality and is typically used for blends and tea bags rather than single-estate marketing.