SOLUBLE MATTER IN GREEN TEA. 297 



an equally satisfactory result. This may arise from 

 mairy causes, and partly from black teas being more 

 mixed with teas of different growths. The result, 

 however, is altogether unsatisfactory. Some of 

 the Pekoes contain less than the common Bohea, 

 which is improbable. Orange Pekoe is given at 

 48*7, while other Pekoes are marked at 34*6 and 

 38*1, Congou at 45, and best Bohea 44-4.* 



The reason why fewer perfect leaves are found 

 in black tea than in green, though this assertion 

 does not accord with my own experience, but the 

 contrary, can hardly be ascribed to the greater 

 friability of black tea, in consequence of high 

 drying, as Mulder conceives. It is true that black 

 tea is more frangible than green, but not more 

 friable, as has been proved. It is more easily 

 broken down with the hand, as every dealer knows ; 

 but this arises from the longer twist of the black 

 tea leaf. It is also more crushed in the act of pack- 

 ing ; but still this would be insufficient to explain 

 why so few perfect leaves are found in green tea. 

 The true reason is, that they are broken and torn 

 asunder in the act of rolling, while yet humid ; 

 and not from the action of heat. The difference 

 of form between black and green tea arises from 

 a different treatment of the leaves during the 

 process of drying. The black teas are placed in 

 sieves and allowed to remain quiescent ; thus they 



* Monographic clu The, par J. G. Houssaye, p. 91. 



