First Flush Tea

As spring begins to peep out from the clouds, I can’t help but think back to visiting the Charleston Tea Garden, in South Carolina. Growing up in the neighboring state of Georgia, I never considered how close I was to such a beautiful place. We visited the site with our two children on one of our many family vacations and man did we bring back A LOT of tea. I’ll never forget my wife’s yearning for the “first flush” tea. To spare you all the melodrama, we got the doggone first flush tea. For you that don’t know, here’s what Charleston Tea Garden says about the first flush, “First Flush, is actually defined as the new growth of leaves on the tea plants in the springtime after they awaken from dormancy. Usually, this happens in April or May and creates a unique taste only available once a growing season!” (www.charlestonteagarden.com). Let me tell you, it’s worth the price and the experience if you’re a tea connoisseur which we are not. Bottom line, we purchased the first picking of tea leaves for that particular season. First-flush tea is more delicate but very bold. Tender, but can benefit from a little more ripening. Fresh and brisk but have an astringent taste. It’s a tea that hasn’t reached its full potential but will get the job done if you’re ok with overlooking a few of the better qualities. By now, you should see where we are going with the T.E.A. this week. The workplace and our private spaces are filled with first-flush people. We become the first-flush when we allow envy to overcome us and act in ways that jeopardize our very being. Leading or performing from a first flush perspective can feel like a win but is it really? Some tea connoisseurs consider first flush tea the equivalent of a top shelf champaign. Here is where we must focus because I have no desire to bash first or second flush tea. Any tea made in the U.S.A. depends largely on the region it’s produced (Halmara Tea Eastate, 2020). Tea produced in South Carolina and tea from Maine can be picked at the exact same time, yet the South Carolina tea will just taste better. Why? It’s the environment and the factors contributing to the tea that we cannot see which make all the difference. As you lead or go about your week think about that. So, what if a first-flush from Maine is getting all the action, let them be. Your tea qualities are so good that you didn’t even realize you had been picked for a certain reason. To heal, captivate, and put a smile upon someone’s face like only you can do. Those my friend, are qualities that can never be duplicated. If that means waiting until full maturation, well, feel the sunshine until it’s your time to steep. Clap for others and do it genuinely knowing that quality delayed does not mean quality denied. Until next time…Sip away.

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First Flush — Charleston Tea Garden

First Flush vs Second Flush Tea — Which Is Better? | by Halmari Tea Estate | Medium