Flush

Flush is a term that denotes the harvesting period of tea leaves. Since tea plants continue to produce new buds after being picked, there are several harvest periods throughout the year in tea-producing regions. Each of these harvesting cycles is referred to as a flush.

One of the most notable examples is Darjeeling, where the flavor profile distinctly varies between the spring-harvested first flush, the summer-harvested second flush, and the autumn-harvested autumnal. Even within the same tea garden, different flushes can offer a completely different tea experience.