We have now received the first harvest of the year from Darjeeling - what we in the tea world call First Flush. This year we have two varieties: Singell First Flush 2025 and Orange Valley 2025. But before we get into this year's crop - what exactly is Darjeeling First Flush, and why do so many tea lovers talk about it every spring?
What is Darjeeling?
Darjeeling is a district in northeastern India, on the border with Nepal and on the edge of the Himalayas. Here, tea plants grow at high altitudes, often over 1500 meters above sea level. The climate - with cool air, fog and rain - provides the conditions for a unique and light, aromatic tea that is often referred to as the 'champagne of teas', partly for its color and exclusivity, and also for its very special taste. But it's not just the location that makes Darjeeling special. The timing of the harvest also plays a big part.
First Flush - the first leaves of the year
"First Flush" simply means it's the first harvest of the year, picked when the tea plants wake up after hibernation. It usually happens between late February and early April, and produces a bright, fresh and floral tea with great personality. The process has been adapted to bring out the characteristic florality, and there are distinct green elements. These leaves are delicate and contain a lot of flavor - despite the fact that they usually brew into a very light cup.
Climate 2025 - a challenge for Darjeeling
This year's tea season in Darjeeling has been unusually tough. Climate change has caused the glaciers to melt away, drying up the waterways. This year's weather has played tricks on farmers - first with drought, then sudden hailstorms. As a result, the harvest was smaller than usual, around 5,600 tons, according to the Tea Board of India, compared to the 10,000 tons it has often been in the past.
But where conditions have been right, the result has been good. Teas from high altitude gardens - such as Singell and Orange Valley - have managed to retain that characteristic freshness and elegance that characterizes a really good First Flush.
Our teas of the year: Singell FF 2025 and Orange Valley 2025
Singell First Flush 2025
A classic Darjeeling from one of the oldest gardens in the region. This year's crop has a robust, floral aroma. Full-bodied, creamy and slightly sweet, and not particularly bitter.
Orange Valley 2025
Grown in lower parts of Darjeeling but still at high altitude. It is fresh, herbal and floral with hints of lemon. Also good when chilled!
How to brew a First Flush?
First Flush teas are delicate - a bit like fresh herbs - and taste best when treated gently. Here are some simple brewing tips:
- Water temperature: 85°C
- Time: 2 minutes
- Tea leaves: about 3 grams per cup (about 1½ tsp)
- Try several brews on the same leaf - it is common for the flavor to develop over time.
Second harvest in 2025
When we visited Darjeeling a few years ago, the plantation owner told us about how it used to be when they waited for the monsoon, i.e. the rain in early June. Each hour counts to make the most of the season. Since it abruptly interrupts picking, they had a person stationed on a hill, who could keep a lookout and see when the monsoon was coming. When the monsoon comes, the rain pours down, and the thunder shakes the fields. Darjeeling roughly means 'the place of thunderbolt', and it lives up to its name. When we were there, there was a terrible storm one night, so the houses were shaking. "ah, really?", said our hosts the next morning... Unfortunately, this year the monsoon rains came earlier than usual, already on June 29. This means that the second harvest (second flush) will also be smaller than usual.
For those who are curious
If you've never tried Darjeeling First Flush before, this year's harvest is a good start. Despite the challenges of cultivation, some teas have become little masterpieces.
Welcome to the store or check out the webshop to discover the great taste experience of spring!
