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Darjeeling Second Flush

8.8/10 editor's score

The early-summer picking from Darjeeling, darker and fuller than first flush, prized for the "muscatel" character that tea writers compare to muscat grapes.

Summer flushMuscatelGI protected
↓ Jump to brew guideAbout this teaCompare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry leaf of Darjeeling Second Flush, top-down

What you need

2.5 g leafDarjeeling Second Flush
250 ml water90 to 95°C
Steep 3:002 steeps
LiquorBright amber to copper
Served inTeapot and cup

At a glance

The early-summer picking from Darjeeling, darker and fuller than first flush, prized for the "muscatel" character that tea writers compare to muscat grapes.

CaffeineMedium~40 to 60 mg, our estimate
MilkCan take a splash of milk, but most drink it plain.
Beginner fit8.5 / 10From the editor's score
HarvestMay to JuneLight, floral spring tea.
Pairs withScones with jam, Fruit cake, Roast chicken, Mild cheddarLess good with very spicy food
Grown atAbout 600 to 2,000 mDarjeeling, West Bengal
Served inTeapot and cupA general choice

About Darjeeling Second Flush

What sources say about the taste

Sources describe second flush as fuller and rounder than first flush, with the distinctive muscatel fruitiness and a bright amber cup 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
Region
Darjeeling and Kalimpong hills, West Bengal
Elevation
About 600 to 2,000 m 1
Character
Muscatel, linked partly to insect bites on the leaf 1
Protection
GI (2004), EU PGI (2011) 1

More from Darjeeling and India.

History and culture

Darjeeling's gardens date from the 1850s. Second flush built the region's fame in Britain 1.

The muscatel note is linked by growers to leafhopper and thrips activity on summer leaf, which changes its chemistry 1.

Editor's score

8.8/10

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: 9.0Origin & heritage: 10.0Availability: 8.5Value: 8.0Beginner-friendliness: 8.5Versatility: 8.0Flavour 9.0Heritage 10.0Availability 8.5Value 8.0Beginners 8.5Versatility 8.0
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
Darjeeling Second Flush~40 to 60 mg
Black tea (average)~47 mg
Green tea (average)~28 mg

Our estimate. Second flush is more oxidised and brewed a little hotter than first flush. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo ClinicC.

Harvest calendar

Second flush follows the spring picking in May and June 1. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

China jat and clonal Camellia sinensis var. sinensis bushes, as for first flush 1.

How it is made
02Withering

Indoors with moving air.

03Rolling

Bruises the leaf.

04Oxidation

Longer than first flush.

05Drying

Fired dry.

06Sorting

Graded by leaf size.

Dry leaf and liquor
Dry leafBrown, wiry leaf with golden tips.
LiquorBright amber to copper.
After steeping
Wet leafCoppery brown.

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

Food pairings and storage

Works well

  • Scones with jam
  • Fruit cake
  • Roast chicken
  • Mild cheddar

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

Same orthodox grades as first flush: FTGFOP1 and SFTGFOP1 are top whole-leaf selections 2.

How to spot a poor or fake one

  1. Look for the Darjeeling logo and an estate name.
  2. "Muscatel" on a cheap blend means little.
  3. Check the year: second flush keeps better than first flush, but fades.
FAQ
What does muscatel mean in tea?

A fruity, grape-like flavour, similar to muscat grapes or muscat wine.

Milk or no milk?

It takes a splash, but the fruit shows best plain.

Find it inBlack teasTeas from IndiaDarjeelingSummer flushMuscatelGI protected

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Darjeeling tea". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darjeeling_tea
  2. Wikipedia, "Tea leaf grading". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_leaf_grading
  3. 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.