Flushes and Acronyms
I’m still learning and wanted to know if someone could tell me about flushes (1st and 2nd) and acronyms after the tea types. Any other information on acronyms and terminology is also appreciated!
If I am correct, and I think I am, Flush refers to harvest. First Flush is the first harvest in the Spring, Second Flush the second harvest, Autumnal Flush would refer to an Autumn Harvest. This may not be an exact description but I think it is basically there.
There is not necessarily a drastic change in taste but First Flush teas are usually more expensive. With Puerh in particular, first flush spring tea is most expensive and sought out because it is considered to age better.
You will find various opinions on flushes, the difference in taste, and preferences from this previous discussion below.
http://steepster.com/discuss/10736-hey-all-does-season-of-harvest-matter-to-you
As for acronyms associated with Darjeelings:
For whole leaf
SFTGFOP1-special/super fine tippy golden flowery orange pekoe grade 1.
For broken leaf
TGBOP-tippy golden broken orange pekoe.
Some retailers will also include the invoice/picking number. My favorite retailer will often state the picking number as DJ1, DJ2, etc. DJ1 designates it is the first pick of the year.
Happy Steeping!
There is an enormous taste differential between flushes. First flushes can be lighter than a green tea (especially if it is a white first flush). More and more growers are opting for a semi-oxidized first flush which has more in common with an oolong in terms of fermentation. Second flushes are more traditional in flavor and 3rd (and even 4th) flushes tend to be of slightly lesser quality and not quite as bold a flavor profile – but of course this changes from estate to estate. We carry two Darjeeling First Flushes – a white and a semi-oxidized (close to green) – Arya Pearl and Arya Diamond. Both are organic – and both are quite rare and costly.
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