Darjeeling Flushes Guide: First, Second, Monsoon & Autumnal Harvests

Timing: Mid-March to April • Limited Yield

Harvested as spring temperatures rise after three months of winter dormancy. The youngest, most tender shoots and unopened silver buds are hand-plucked from bushes. The manufacturing process uses gentle withering and very light oxidation.

• • Leaf Appearance: Crisp, greenish-grey wiry leaf with abundant silvery tips.
• • Cup Character: Pale platinum to amber liquor; lively, crisp astringency.
• • Aroma: Fresh floral aromatics, lily-of-the-valley, raw almonds, crisp green fruits.
• • Commercial Role: Highly priced specialty lots; boutique salons and single-estate collectors. See our First Flush bulk booking guide.

Timing: May to Mid-June • The Quality Peak

Considered by many the quintessential Darjeeling harvest. The bushes absorb full summer sun before the monsoon arrives. Interaction with green fly leafhoppers triggers protective terpene synthesis in the leaf, resulting in the famous natural Muscatel character.

• • Leaf Appearance: Dark purplish-brown leaf with pronounced golden tips.
• • Cup Character: Bright coppery-amber liquor with rounded body and velvety mouthfeel.
• • Aroma: Signature Muscat grape, dried sultanas, ripe stone fruits, and wildflower honey.
• • Commercial Role: High international export demand; luxury tins and afternoon tea lines. See our Second Flush Muscatel export guide.

Timing: July to September • High Volume

Heavy, continuous Himalayan monsoon rain causes rapid vegetative growth. High ambient moisture makes withering challenging, and delicate aromatic compounds are naturally diluted. However, the teas yield deeper color and stronger liquor extraction.

• • Leaf Appearance: Dark brownish-black leaf, lower tip proportion.
• • Cup Character: Deep reddish-amber liquor with heavier tannin structure.
• • Aroma: Earthy, toasted wood, mild malt, muted floral notes.
• • Commercial Role: Cost-effective blending base for branded afternoon blends, iced teas, and commercial packets.

Timing: October to November • Coppery Smoothness

As monsoon rains clear and crisp Himalayan autumn air sets in, growth decelerates. Bushes channel remaining nutrients into leaves before entering winter dormancy. Yields a rich, balanced cup with smooth mouthfeel and gentle sweetness.

• • Leaf Appearance: Large, bold blackish leaf with copper highlights and bronze tips.
• • Cup Character: Brilliant coppery liquor, mellow and smooth with low astringency.
• • Aroma: Toasted walnuts, ripe plums, caramelized sugar, and baked apple.
• • Commercial Role: Excellent standalone seasonal feature; smooth, non-bitter drinking profile for specialty tea menus.

Electronic Auction Procurement

Weekly electronic tea sales at the Siliguri Tea Auction Centre (STAC) and Calcutta Tea Traders Association (CTTA) offer structured price discovery for Darjeeling lots. Catalogues list garden invoices with certified package counts and net weights.

Byahut procures auction-origin tea through authorized auction buying channels across the Siliguri and Guwahati sourcing corridors. Pre-auction counter-samples are examined in our tasting room for dry leaf bloom, tip ratio, and infusion character before securing lots.

Forward Garden Contracts

For boutique programs, specialty retailers, and private label importers requiring specific seasonal invoice tranches, private treaty contracts directly with producer gardens guarantee batch reservation before public auction listing.

All export consignments are packed in commercial bulk multiwall kraft paper sacks with food-grade liners, configured to buyer specification. Explore our Darjeeling export page or review our sample request guidelines.