94 TEA 



with some degree of certainty the direction the market 

 is likely to take. 



A blend suitable for general purposes is, as a rule, 

 composed of Ceylon and Indian, the proportion of each 

 kind varying according to the state of the market and 

 time of the year. At certain periods Indians are scarce, 

 and consequently difficult to use freely, but, fortunately, 

 Ceylons sometimes come to the rescue and a larger 

 proportion can be used with advantage. During the 

 summer months it has been found that consumers 

 prefer a lighter beverage than when the weather is cold. 

 In such cases the Ceylon flavour may safely predominate. 

 Certain Ceylon and Indian teas will be found to " take 

 the milk " satisfactorily, without mixing them with other 

 growths. Such are known as " self-drinking teas " 

 and if carefully selected will prove most useful, as they 

 can be retailed direct from the chest without further 

 manipulation. It is sometimes possible to prepare 

 a blend, having all the characteristics of a pcrteci 

 mixture from one or two teas ; on the other hand, it may 

 be necessary to use several lots before a full, rich, and 

 bright liquor is obtained ; whichever course is adopted, 

 it will be useful to keep standards of all component 

 parts, so that when the blend has to be matched, each 

 tea may be followed as closely as possible. A record of 

 each mixing should be entered in a book set apart for 

 that purpose, giving details of the tea used, cost prices, 

 etc. 



It has already been pointed out that the public 

 resent any alteration in the tea they have become 

 accustomed to, and therefore it is essential that each 

 mixture should follow on without any sudden or great 

 change in style and flavour. 



