Tea Season Calendar

Uva at its peak. Let flavored teas take the stage — fruit-laden tea punch and sangria for the height of summer. Cold brew keeps it smooth for everyone.

Uva's season winds down while fine Keemun lots appear from China. Its orchid-and-smoke perfume suits a straight cup at cooling dusk.

Darjeeling's autumn plucking begins — the season of mellow sweetness. As mornings cool, steaming milk tea returns, with tapioca and brown-sugar twists for snack time.

November 1st is Japan's 'Black Tea Day' — commemorating Daikokuya Kōdayū, said to be the first Japanese to take formal tea at the Russian court in 1791. Raise your favorite cup to tea history.

The festive close of the year. Cinnamon- and ginger-scented cups, warming chai, and hot tea toddies for holy nights and year-end rewards.

Dry monsoon winds bring Sri Lanka's western highlands into their quality season. Dimbula's rose-like aroma and clean briskness open the year beautifully — brew it strong for milk tea on cold mornings.

Nuwara Eliya — the 'champagne of Ceylon' — peaks now. Its fresh, green-tinged briskness pairs beautifully with Valentine chocolate, the tea's edge lifting cacao's sweetness.

Spring in the Himalayas — the long-awaited first plucking. The 'nouveau of tea', with its fresh grassy aroma, is a once-a-year treat. If you spot the new season's lot, drink it straight.

First Flush lots from every garden line the shelves — the moment to compare estates. Brew slightly cooler and shorter to keep the delicate aromas intact.

Late this month Darjeeling's summer plucking begins — muscatel season. As the sun strengthens, ready your iced tea tools: flash-chilling makes aromatic iced tea easy.

Darjeeling Second Flush peaks, and Assam's summer body arrives. As humidity rises, keep a bottle of smooth, astringency-free cold brew in the fridge.