Browse Darjeeling Second Flush (53)
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Darjeeling Second Flush

 
Last Updated: Mar. 18, 2014 

About Darjeeling Second Flush

Loose-leaf black tea with rich reddish-olive colorPhoto of Leaf of Darjeeling Sungma Summer (Darjeeling #22) from Adagio Teas by A Girl With Tea, Photo © A Girl With Tea, CC BY 2.0.
Darjeeling second flush or second flush Darjeeling tea designates Darjeeling tea that has been harvested at a specific time, in the summer, well after the first flush. This tea is also called Darjeeling summer tea or Darjeeling summer flush. The harvest time for second flush tea comes at a period of greater rainfall than the first flush, but well before the peak of the monsoon season. Tea harvested during the monsoon season is called monsoon tea or rains tea and is not the same as second flush, and is usually considered inferior quality.

Compared to first flush, second flush Darjeeling has a darker color and is richer in flavor. Many of these teas, however, have a light color and can still be much milder than most black teas.

Second flush Darjeeling, like first flush, is considered a highly desireable tea, and can be very expensive. It is hard to generalize about price or quality; although first flush is often considered more expensive and desireable, some second flush teas exceed some first flush teas in price, and some tea drinkers prefer second flush teas for their bolder flavor.

Recent Second Flush Reviews — RSS rss icon

45 / 100

This is a very mild, bland tea. Lemon and sugar overwhelms it, but it is decent on its own or with a splash of milk - then it is pleasant and bready, with some mild tannins coming in to the mouthfeel. Priced too high given the quality, imo.

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75 / 100
Picture of Singbulli Estate Second Flush (2020 EX-38) Organic Darjeeling SFTGFOP1 (TD148)

Part of Upton's Great Tea Race Collection, this Darjeeling crosses the finish line with a fine aroma and impressive flavor. There are notes of caramel, fresh leaves, and mild tannins. It is very expensive however - it costs 3 times the price of an ordinary Darjeeling, but does not offer 3 times the quality imo. Nice...

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0 / 100
Picture of Organic Darjeeling

I suspected something was wrong with the quality (or lack thereof) of this tea when I opened up the tin and there was no scent. (Side note: The best by date isn't for about 2 years, so that's not the issue.) Some teas have a very, very light scent, though. So, I tried to suspend judgment and brewed a cup as the packagi...

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100 / 100
Picture of Darjeeling Avongrove Second Flush Organic

Loved it. Smoother than a standard black darjeeling, but same iconic after taste.

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78 / 100
Picture of Organic Darjeeling Kalimpong

I thought this was an excellent second flush Darjeeling, with a fresher and cooler aroma than average, and surprising strength that allowed the leaf to stretch very far. A tea that I like to savor very slowly, not something for if you're in a hurry.

Thank you to Mighty Leaf for this generous sample!

I love the s...

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Most-Rated Second Flush

Picture of Darjeeling 2nd Flush Muscatel

Darjeeling 2nd Flush Muscatel

Brand:Rishi Tea
Style:Darjeeling Second Flush
Region:Darjeeling, India
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Leaf:Loose
42
3 Ratings
Picture of Makaibari Estate Darjeeling 2nd Flush Black Tea

Makaibari Estate Darjeeling 2nd Flush Black Tea

Brand:Arbor Teas
Style:Darjeeling Second Flush
Region:Darjeeling, India
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Leaf:Loose
81
3 Ratings
Picture of Giddapahar Musk (DJ 29) 2009

Giddapahar Musk (DJ 29) 2009

Brand:Thunderbolt Tea
Style:Darjeeling Second Flush
Region:Darjeeling, India
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Leaf:Loose
2 Ratings
Picture of Sungma 2nd Flush Darjeeling

Sungma 2nd Flush Darjeeling

Brand:Harney and Sons
Style:Darjeeling Second Flush
Region:Darjeeling, India
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Leaf:Loose
2 Ratings
No image of this tea

Darjeeling, Dooteriah Estate - 2nd Flush

Brand:Simpson & Vail
Style:Darjeeling Second Flush
Region:Darjeeling, India
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Leaf:Loose
2 Ratings

Top-Rated Second Flush

Picture of Makaibari Estate Darjeeling 2nd Flush Black Tea

Makaibari Estate Darjeeling 2nd Flush Black Tea

Brand:Arbor Teas
Style:Darjeeling Second Flush
Region:Darjeeling, India
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Leaf:Loose
81
3 Ratings
Picture of Darjeeling 2nd Flush Muscatel

Darjeeling 2nd Flush Muscatel

Brand:Rishi Tea
Style:Darjeeling Second Flush
Region:Darjeeling, India
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Leaf:Loose
42
3 Ratings

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