Muscatel
Definition
A prized flavor descriptor unique to second flush Darjeeling teas - a sweet, musky, grape-like quality reminiscent of Muscat wine. The muscatel character is partly attributed to the interaction between the tea plant and tiny leafhopper insects whose bites trigger defensive chemical changes in the leaf.
Why it matters
Muscatel is the holy grail of Darjeeling tea and the reason second flush commands such high prices. No other tea region produces this flavor naturally. Understanding muscatel helps you evaluate Darjeeling quality and appreciate why second flush exists in a league of its own among black teas.