Flush
Definition
A harvest period during the tea-growing season. Most tea regions have multiple flushes per year - spring (first flush), summer (second flush), monsoon, and autumn. Each flush produces leaves with different chemical compositions and flavor profiles due to changing weather, sunlight, and growth rates.
Why it matters
Flush is the seasonal clock of tea. First flush teas are typically the most prized (lighter, more aromatic), while later flushes produce fuller-bodied but less nuanced teas. In Darjeeling, flush is the defining quality factor; in regions like Uji or Taiwan, the spring/winter harvest distinction plays a similar role.