With its green hills, fresh clean air and temperate weather, Darjeeling is a PARADISE ON EARTH. The tea industry in Darjeeling is very dependent on the weather conditions and is affected by any change in the timely arrival of rains to the region. During winter, the tea gardens go through a period of dormancy due to cold weather. The tea bushes are pruned immediately before the onset of winter. A normal winter period is from December to February. The month of March brings the first batch of showers and the bushes produce a new growth of leaf—the first flush. The telltale greenish look of this leaf is indicative of a good First Flush. The tea is delicate and light, very aromatic and, of course, has a superb flavor. This year, i.e., 1997, the First Flush season got off to a bumpy start: a severe winter that lasted longer than usual, thus delaying the arrival of the spring showers. This delay led to confusion and panic in the early stages of the season. This confusion, aggravated by the delay of rains, was further worsened by a hailstorm that struck the largest tea-growing valley in Darjeeling (Kurseong). As the season progressed, conditions improved and the market corrected itself. The overall results of the First Flush season for this year (1997) has been that some remarkably fine Darjeelings have emerged. We were able to buy and will have available in the next few weeks on "The Tea Shop" site, some excellent quality First Flush Darjeelings ranging in price from reasonable to very expensive.

In a few days I will post an update on the Second Flush Darjeelings which I believe to be somewhat overpriced at the Estate but nonetheless well worth the asking price

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Copyright © February 1996

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