The flavor of the teas is also dependent upon the kind of leaves that have been plucked. The younger the leaf, the more flavorful the tea. A fine pluck often means that only the buds of the new growth have been plucked, where a coarse pluck means that more coarse, older leaves were plucked. A normal pluck is when the traditional, two leaves and a bud are plucked. Newer varieties of teas such as White teas often include fine pluck of just the newest buds, and often tend to produce lighter color teas which are quite flavorful.
A term that is commonly heard in the Indian tea industry is the "flush" of tea. Often in northern tea growing regions of India where the tea growing period is much shorter, the tea bush produces the flush of buds. In some regions such as Darjeeling, often the first flush of growth after winter is more subtle and delicate in its flavor. Since the first flush is the first tea of the year and produced in very small quantities, the tea tends to be quite expensive and rare. The first flush does not stay good for very long, and should be consumed within 8-12 months, beyond which the flavors of the tea are lost in storage.
While first flush teas are undoubtedly great teas, the later flushes are not necessarily inferior teas. Infact, the later flushes often tend to carry more body and color and are often as exceptional if not better, as the first flush teas. And, in the plains where it gets exceedingly hot in May, June, the bushes produce the best and most fragrant growth after the July/August rains have cooled the tempertures down a bit. As a result, Autumnal teas tend to be outstanding in the lower altitude regions such as Assam. It is up to the individual buyer to decide which type of tea they prefer. Some prefer exceptionally light, delicate teas, while others prefer their teas to have more body and color. What ever your choice, we can fulfill your needs by identifying the teas you might like the best. If available, we might even offer you a sample before you make a purchase. So, if in doubt, don't hesitate to ask for a tasters sample!