WHAT IS FIRST FLUSH?

First, teas are often classified by type, such as white, green, or black.

When you take it a step further, premium teas are also often classified by Flush. 

First Flush is defined as the very first plucking of a tea plant’s harvest season. The new growth leaves plucked during First Flush are the youngest and most tender part of the tea plant and are said to yield the purest and freshest cup of tea that plant is capable of producing. Each additional Flush yields different flavor and aroma characteristics as the growing season for that tea plant progresses.

Brewing First Flush

Each First Flush is going to be different depending on where and how the tea was cultivated, harvested, and processed. To brew the perfect cup, ask your tea vendor for brewing instructions specific to the tea you purchased. Here are a few general brewing tips to keep in mind:

• • Use fresh, pure, cold filtered water. Spring water is the best.
  • First Flush teas are typically more lightly oxidized compared to other black teas. Therefore, they should be brewed in slightly cooler temperatures for less time to avoid a tea that is too astringent and bitter. We suggest brewing our Teatulia First Flush with water that’s just off the boil (180 to 200 degrees) for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • If you don’t have an electric kettle with temperature control, just remember that at sea level water simmers at 190 degrees and boils at 212 degrees. The boiling temperature drops about a degree for every 100 feet in altitude increase.
  • If your First Flush tea came with specific recommendations for brewing, use those. But using about 2 grams of loose leaf tea per 8 oz. cup of water is a safe bet.
  • Cover your tea while it steeps to keep all the heat in the steeping vessel.
  • The longer your tea steeps, the more quic
  • kly it will release any bitterness and astringency. So it’s important not to over steep a First Flush tea that already has an astringent quality. Taste your tea after the recommended steeping time and then decide if you’d like it to steep a little longer.
  • Most premium First Flush teas can be steeped multiple times.
  • Some First Flush teas are strong enough to stand up to milk and sugar, but for the best flavor experience try sipping your First Flush without any additives. That way, you can enjoy the subtle flavor of the freshest spring tea leaves.