What is First Flush?

It is worth pausing over an issue that is closely related to the term "First Flush". This is nothing more than the first harvest of leaves, which usually takes place in late March and early April. What should you know about the leaves harvested at this time? How is FF tea different from teas harvested at other times? Find out the most important information about this type of tea below!

First Flush - the first harvest of tea in spring

FF, or First Flush, is the designation for the early spring first harvest of tea leaves. Most often such a harvest takes place in the months of March-April. At that time, the first young leaves that the tea plant puts out are harvested. They are rich in various nutrients that the plant has accumulated over many months of growth. Among other things, this is why first flush tea is considered extremely precious and high-quality.

What flavor do First Flush teas have?

The flavor of first flush tea is, of course, dependent on its species, but dries of the first harvest also have common characteristics. FF tea is characterized by a delicate flavor and aroma with slightly floral notes. Its color, in turn, is lighter than that of teas harvested at other times.

When it comes to the best first flush teas, India's Darjeeling deserves a special mention, as it is regarded as one of the most valuable select teas in the world. It comes from plantations located in areas close to the city of Darjeeling, in northeastern India (hence its name). These areas have excellent quality soil and quite specific climatic conditions. Both of these elements result in a distinctive aroma, considered by tea connoisseurs to be uncommon and one of the best in the entire world.

What is the difference between First Flush and Second Flush?

SF, or second flush, means nothing more than a second harvest of tea leaves. After the first harvest, which takes place in late March/early April (FF), the bushes flower again and sprout new leaves. Sometimes heavy rains allow them to grow luxuriantly, and when they reach the required size, a second harvest usually takes place in mid-May.

Tea extracted from leaves harvested a second time is also classified as high quality. Its flavor and aroma is very similar to that obtained by brewing dried tea from the first harvest. For this reason, the untrained tea connoisseur may not even notice the difference. Again, Darjeeling tea is particularly recommended for this purpose.

Late harvest of teas

Of course, the teas available in stores come from leaves harvested at different times, including later. The best quality, of course, are those from FF and SC harvests.

However, additional distinctions can be made:

• Inbetween (intermediate collections): take place between First Flush and Second Flush, generally in late April and early May. This is a lower quality tea than the ones mentioned above.
• Autumnal (autumn harvest): The tea is characterized by a tart taste. Its quality is not high, but it is produced on a large scale.
• Monsoon (harvesting during monsoon rainfall): tea that comes from harvesting during the summer rainy season. The leaves are harvested during heavy rains. Such teas are mass-produced, but are not counted among the prized high quality dried teas.