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Darjeeling Autumn Flush

Darjeeling autumnal, late flush

7.5/10 editor's score

The last Darjeeling picking of the year, made from the leaves grown after the rainy season and before winter dormancy. Sources call it fuller and darker than the earlier flushes.

DarjeelingAutumnIndia
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Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry leaf of Darjeeling Autumn Flush, top-down

What you need

2.5 g leafDarjeeling Autumn Flush
250 ml water90 to 95°C
Steep 3:002 steeps
LiquorDeep amber, darker than earlier flushes
Served inTeapot and cup

At a glance

The last Darjeeling picking of the year, made from the leaves grown after the rainy season and before winter dormancy.

CaffeineMedium~30 to 50 mg, our estimate
Beginner fit8.0 / 10From the editor's score
HarvestOctober to NovemberOctober to November [1].
Pairs withShortbread, Roast chicken, Apple cakeLess good with very spicy food
Grown atDarjeeling hillsDarjeeling, West Bengal
Served inTeapot and cupA general choice

About Darjeeling Autumn Flush

What sources say about the taste

Sources describe a herbaceous and soft muscatel flavour, with a fuller body and darker colour than the earlier flushes 1.

01 · Aroma

First sip

Lift the cup and smell before you drink.

02 · Taste

Middle

Let it sit on the tongue for a moment.

03 · Finish

Finish

What stays after you swallow.

Hover or tap a noteBigger image and more dots mean a stronger note.

Notes and intensities are an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not our own tasting.

Where it grows

DarjeelingWest BengalINDIA
Picked
October to November 1
When
After the rains, before winter dormancy 1
Season
March to November, in four flushes 1
Compared
Similar to, but more muted than, the second flush 1

More from Darjeeling and India.

History and culture

Darjeeling tea is harvested from March to November, in four flushes 1.

The autumnal flush is favourably compared with Nepali teas 1.

Editor's score

7.5/10

Weighted across six criteria: flavour 30%, heritage 20%, availability 15%, value 15%, beginners 10%, versatility 10%.

Based on published sources, not yet tasted. Rates the tea style, not a brand. How we score →

1086Flavour & complexity: 7.5Origin & heritage: 8.5Availability: 7.0Value: 7.0Beginner-friendliness: 8.0Versatility: 7.0Flavour 7.5Heritage 8.5Availability 7.0Value 7.0Beginners 8.0Versatility 7.0
Taste profile and caffeine

Profile is an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not a lab measurement or our own tasting.

Caffeine

Brewed coffee~95 mg
Black tea (average)~47 mg
Darjeeling Autumn Flush~30 to 50 mg
Green tea (average)~28 mg

Our estimate. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo ClinicC.

Harvest calendar

The final flush before winter dormancy 1. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

Camellia sinensis grown in the Darjeeling hills 1.

How it is made
01Plucking

Top two leaves and the bud 1.

02Withering

Softened.

03Rolling

Orthodox rolling.

04Oxidation

Full.

05Drying

Dried and sorted.

Dry leaf and liquor
Dry leafDark brown leaf with copper tones.
LiquorDeep amber, darker than earlier flushes 1.
After steeping
Wet leafCopper-brown leaf.

The colour swatch is an approximate guide, not a photograph.

Food pairings and storage

Works well

  • Shortbread
  • Roast chicken
  • Apple cake

Best avoided

  • Very spicy food

Pairings are general suggestions from the tea's style, not tested matches.

Storage

  • Airtight, opaque tin or pouch, away from light, heat, moisture and strong smells.
  • Keep it out of the fridge unless fully sealed, to avoid condensation.
  • Most loose tea is at its best within a year. Note the harvest date on the tin.
Grades and fakes

Graded by leaf size like other orthodox teas.

How to spot a poor or fake one

  1. Check the flush and year on the pack.
  2. Darker and fuller than first flush 1.
FAQ
How is autumn flush different?

It is made from the last leaves before winter, and sources call it fuller and darker than earlier flushes 1.

Find it inBlack teasTeas from IndiaDarjeelingDarjeelingAutumnIndia

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Darjeeling tea". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darjeeling_tea
  2. Mayo Clinic, "Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more". www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372

Scores and content updated 30 Oct 2026.