The advent of spring ushers in the First Flush. The tea bushes are lulled into hibernation with the advent of cold weather in late November. With increasing day lengths and temperatures, the first shoot emerges in March. This becomes the eagerly sought after Darjeeling vintage, known as the ‘First Flush’ or ‘First Pick’, by connoisseurs worldwide. This is a light liquoring tea with a peach like flavour and a greenish infusion.

Throughout North India, Holi – the festival of colours – is observed to celebrate the season. The festival also symbolises love, happiness and harmony. Legend has it that an ancient and powerful king, Hiranyakasipu, drunk with power, forced his subjects to worship him. However, his son, the young Prince Prahlada, staunchly opposed him, saying that only the God Vishnu was supreme. Furious at being disobeyed, the King plotted with his sister Holika to kill his own son. The Prince's bedroom was set alight while he slept. Oddly, it was his aunt Holika who was reduced to ashes; protected by the God Vishnu, the Prince emerged from the fire unscathed. Playing with bright colours on Holi is, hence, also a celebration of the victory of good over evil.

In 2002, the First Flush held the promise of a bumper crop. Makaibari is traditionally drought prone, but that year the early spring rains were harbingers of great hope and the First Flush commenced brilliantly.