2nd Flush Darjeeling Harvest Report

Much like their First Flush predecessors, quality teas from Darjeeling's famous Second Flush harvest were delayed by about one month this year. Heavy rainfall following an extensive and devastating drought wreaked havoc on the Himalayan tea-growing region. When the first flush of the season runs late, the second must follow, since the plant needs time between flushes to rebuild its stores of nutrients. Once ready, tender green leaves shoot upward to signal the start of Second Flush season. In 2026, that didn't happen until well into June, a surprise to those of us who have been buying Darjeeling teas for the last decade.

Production across Darjeeling is down due to environmental and geopolitical factors, but quality was still superb. Caramelly, muscatel and stone fruit, three quintessential Second Flush characteristics, were on full and unabashed display in the samples we received from our supplier. Our timing may have been thrown, but our palates were not. Marybong, Chamong, Tumsong and Lingia stood out as favorites across the cupping table, a shock to nobody on our tasting team.

Once Second Flush season wrapped, we could finally blend Steve's favorite, Bungalow. Bungalow requires a delicate balance of First Flush and Second Flush teas, and a couple of the lots we sourced this year made that balance a very fine and beautiful one. We also found a new estate worth buying, one we folded into this season's Bungalow formulation. We cannot wait to share it with you.

We're equally excited to share a lot from the mid-June harvest at the Lingia Estate as our Teamaker's Choice for Second Flush Darjeeling this season. This tea sparkles with notes of poached pear, cedar and marshmallow cream. It is at once delicate and assertive, charming and reserved. In essence, perfection. Cheers.