What is first flush Nepal tea? First flush Nepal tea is the first picking of the year in Ilam, Nepal, harvested from late March into April at 4,000 to 7,500 ft. The young spring leaf gives a light, floral, naturally sweet cup with almost no astringency. Nepali Tea Traders air-freights each spring lot from Ilam to Saugus, MA within weeks of picking.
What first flush means
First flush is the first plucking of the year, when tea bushes wake from winter dormancy and push out their first tender buds and top two leaves. In Ilam this happens from late March into April. Because the leaf is young and full of aromatic compounds, first flush teas taste lighter, more floral and sweeter than later harvests, with less body and almost no astringency. Every tea on this page comes from that short spring window.
Nepal first flush vs Darjeeling first flush
Ilam sits in the same Himalayan belt as Darjeeling, at similar elevations, and picks in the same weeks. The difference shows in the cup: Nepal first flush tends to be smoother and rounder, and it usually costs less for the same leaf grade. If you already love Darjeeling spring tea, start with Premium Spring Tippy and read our full comparison, Nepal Tea vs Darjeeling.
Our first flush teas from Ilam
Premium Spring Tippy Black Tea
Bright, lively and smooth. A refined first flush black for drinking without milk.
Sagarmatha Gold Organic Black Tea
USDA Organic first flush hand-rolled at 7,000 ft. Floral bouquet, caramel and roasted almond.
Snow Leopard Black Tea
Clean, uplifting and smooth. A lively spring cup from high-altitude Ilam gardens.
Ana's First Flush Organic Green Tea
USDA Organic. Pale amber, soft and sweet, the gentlest green of the spring harvest.
Emerald Organic Green Tea
USDA Organic steamed green with zucchini, almond and dried lily notes.
Jade Spring Organic White Tea
USDA Organic silver needles. Coriander, bean sprout and asparagus, sweet and vegetal.
How to brew first flush tea
Spring leaf is delicate, so brew a little cooler and shorter than you would for autumn teas. Use 1 teaspoon (2 to 3 g) per 8 oz cup, and add leaf, not time, if you want a stronger cup.
For step-by-step help, read How to Brew Nepali Loose Leaf Tea.
Shop USDA Organic Teas
Organic Nepali Green TeaIlam
Butter Lettuce · Coriander · Dried Gardenia
Organic Nepali Green TeaEmerald
Zucchini · Almond · Dried Lily
Organic Nepali Green TeaSandakphu Jade
Asparagus · Barley · Green Peas
Organic Nepali White TeaSilver Tips
Sweet Grass · Hint of Citrus · Almond Notes
Organic Nepali White TeaJade Spring
Coriander · Fresh Almond · Asparagus
Organic Nepali White TeaAma Dablam
Floral · Sweet · Golden
Nepali Tea FAQs
Brewing, ingredients, and caffeine. Quick answers about tea from Nepal.
What is first flush tea?
First flush tea is the first harvest of the year, picked when tea bushes wake from winter dormancy and push out their first tender buds and top two leaves. In Ilam, Nepal this runs from late March into April. The young leaf carries the most aromatic compounds of the season, so first flush teas taste lighter, more floral and naturally sweeter than later harvests, with soft body and almost no astringency.
When is first flush harvested in Nepal?
In Ilam, first flush picking usually begins in late March and continues through April, depending on elevation and spring rain. Gardens at 4,000 to 7,500 ft pick a little later than lower gardens. Our first flush lots are processed within days of picking and air-freighted to our Saugus, MA warehouse, so they arrive in the United States within weeks of harvest.
What is the difference between first flush and second flush tea?
First flush (spring) is picked from late March to April and gives a light, floral, delicate cup. Second flush (early summer) is picked from May to June, after the bushes have grown fuller leaves, and gives a rounder, fruitier, fuller-bodied cup. Autumn flush, picked in October and November, is mellow and smooth. Most people who love brightness choose first flush; people who want body and depth often prefer second flush.
Is Nepal first flush the same as Darjeeling first flush?
They are close cousins. Ilam sits in the same Himalayan belt as Darjeeling, at similar elevations, and picks in the same weeks, so the style is similar: light, floral and fresh. Nepal first flush is usually smoother and rounder in the cup, and it typically costs less for the same leaf grade because Nepal tea is not protected by a geographic name premium. Read our full comparison at Nepal Tea vs Darjeeling.
How should I store first flush tea?
Keep first flush tea in an airtight container away from light, heat, moisture and strong smells. The delicate spring aromatics fade faster than in autumn teas, so drink first flush within about a year of harvest for the brightest cup. Resealable pouches and tins both work; the key is to close the container promptly after every scoop.