1 72 CULTIVATION AND MANUFACTURE OF TEA. 



I think I can explain some of these anomalies. 



Tea is an acquired taste : by which I mean, not only that 

 the adult who had never tasted Tea would not like it when 

 first offered to him, but also that, with those who consume it 

 regularly, any Tea that differs in flavour from what is habitually 

 drunk is not relished. 



It matters not whether it is intrinsically better or worse, 

 enough that the flavour is different, for that reason it is not 

 liked. 



Indian Tea differs widely from Chinese Tea, and for that 

 reason is rarely appreciated by those accustomed to the 

 latter. 



For a long time it appeared as if this difficulty would be a 

 bar to the general introduction of Indian Teas in England, and 

 so indeed it would have proved, had the short-sighted policy 

 adopted at the commencement by one or two Indian Com- 

 panies that their Teas should be sold retail and pure, that 

 is, unmixed with Chinese, been followed out. It did not avail 

 to tell John Bull it was better Tea, that it was far stronger, 

 that it was in no way adulterated ; for he simply shook his 

 head, the flavour was different to what use had made him 

 familiar, and he would none of it. 



But little by little, in spite of the above, it made its way. 

 Grocers soon found that the worst, id est, the weakest class of 

 Chinese Teas received body and were made saleable by an 

 addition of Indian Tea. It was not long after this that the 

 trade discovered that pretty well all Chinese Teas were im- 

 proved, if proportions of Indian Teas were mixed with them. 

 In short, the fact was recognised by Tea vendors that Chinese 

 Teas were weak, and much improved if mixed with Indian. 



The public were thus educated to relish the superior 



effect for him of making Indian Teas more widely known. They are generally 

 known now, in many cases sold pure as Indian Tea, and used by all retail dealers 

 to give the body or strength lacking in most Chinese kinds. 



