Second Flush Black

Sharad Subba of Jasbire Tea Garden in Illam, Nepal.

Sharad has spent more than 20 years in the tea garden. Starting as a tea plucker and now a tea maker and owner of a factory, he employs 15 workers and buys green leaves from over 72 farmers. Sharad says that tea is his life. He really cannot imagine a life without it. He says, “We don’t make tea, nature does that herself. Our only job is to identify them.”

He wants to grow Jasbire Tea Garden’s impact and pass on the legacy to his young son. He believes his practice of tea to be the “Art of Tea”, that will be backed by the modern understanding of science, brought in by his son.

Second-flush black tea is harvested after the prime first flush, marking the second collection of leaves during the spring season. This harvest comes from more mature leaves, which have had the chance to fully develop their flavors and characteristics, providing a richer and bolder profile compared to the delicate first flush. Skilled pluckers harvest two leaves and a bud every seven days, ensuring only the finest leaves are selected for processing.

The leaves first undergo withering and spread out in troughs to reduce moisture content gradually. This step, lasting several hours or overnight, softens the leaves and prepares them for the next stage. The leaves are rolled in a machine to release their essential oils and initiate the oxidation process. This critical step allows the leaves to develop their distinct summer flavor profile, characterized by boldness and complexity. After rolling, the leaves are oxidized for several hours, and carefully monitored to achieve the desired aroma and taste. Finally, the tea is dried to lock in its vibrant flavors and sorted both by machine and by hand, ensuring only the highest quality leaves make it to your cup.

Jasbire Tea Village, Maipokhari, Nepal

Second Flush Black Tea is made for enthusiasts who enjoy bold, vibrant flavors and a touch of fruity complexity. If you savor the rich depth of summer harvests, this tea offers a unique profile with notes of sweet cherries, plum, and tarty gooseberries. Perfect for those who enjoy a stronger black tea, it will appeal to connoisseurs who appreciate the fuller, richer character of the second flush.