Darjeeling
First Flush (Spring Harvest)
Commonly referred to as new tea. It often has a strong aroma and is lightly oxidized. The Muscatel flavor of Darjeeling may be most pronounced during this season.
In Between (Intermediate Harvest)
These are not widely available.
Second Flush (Summer Harvest / Second Picking)
This is sometimes regarded as the highest quality in the Darjeeling region. A very high-quality black tea with a well-balanced flavor and aroma.
Autumnal (Autumn Harvest)
Quality is inferior compared to the second flush, and the tea leaves have less luster, but it is a robust and flavorful black tea.
Ceylon
In Ceylon, which is harvested year-round, the tea leaves picked during the best quality period are referred to as Quality Season.
| Variety | Quality Season |
|---|---|
| Uva | Around June to August |
| Nuwara Eliya | Around January to February |
| Dimbula | Around January to February |
"Best Season" does not mean the highest quality, but rather refers to the time when the most is produced.