April 190?.] 229 Edible Products, 



originally brought over from China. The manufacture of tea was, it seems, first 

 started after Chinese immigrants settled in the island, and has since gradually deve- 

 loped into the present flourishing industry. In 1861 the British Consul Robert 

 Swinhoe, in a report to his home government, stated among other things that 

 Formosa tea was shipped in great quantities to the mainland of China. Still it was 

 at that time, in its early stage not being capable of competing with other industries, 

 A few years later, an Englishman, John Dodd, who had established himself in the 

 island, attracted by the hopeful coudition of the tea trade, made enquiries among 

 the tea-farmers as to the possibilities of the trade, and with most satisfactory 

 results. He did everything in his power for the advancement of the industry, thus 

 often making loans to the farmers to induce them to increase the production. The 

 next year some purchases were made and shipped to Amoy, which brought good 

 prices. It was Irom the year 1868 that the total export was prepared for shipment 

 direct to foreign lands- In 1869 a trial shipment was made direct to New York in 

 two sailing vessels. It was warmly welcomed there and sold at fairly good prices. 

 The trade has siuce gone on steadily increasing in volume. 



The Japanese occupation of Formosa in 1895 marked an epoch-making period 

 to the tea industry of the island. The Formosan Government, in the interest of the 

 industry, has organized the tea-tradesmen's corporation with a view to preventing 

 the export of bad and adulterated teas, while considerably reducing imposts on tea 

 and at the same time providing facilities of communication for its trade. Thanks to 

 the energetic efforts on the part of the Government, the amount of production has 

 greatly increased in recent years, so that it now forms the most important source of 

 wealth of Formosa. A variety of teas, such as black tea and Souchong, are produced 

 here ; what goes abroad, however, under the general name of Formosa tea is, 

 indeed, Oolong tea. 



Formosa Oolong tea is the pure article and is !f ree from all coloring matter. 

 It is neither subjected to the great amount of manipulation and fermentation that 

 black tea is, nor to the nonfermentation, and has, therefore, in its composition the 

 excellent merits of various teas, besides its aromatic flavor. India and Ceylon teas 

 are now evidently having a lion's share of trade in European and American markets 

 at the expense of China and Japan teas. They can, however, have no serious effects 

 upon Formosa's tea trade. 



It may not, perhaps, be amiss to trace herewith the origin of the name 

 " Oolong Tea," a common appellation for Formosa teas. A good long time ago there 

 grew wild tea-shrubs on the hill called Weiye-San of Fokien, province of China. 

 One day, early in the morning, a farmer living in the neighbourhood, went to the 

 hill and found to his great amazement a huge, black snake winding itself around a 

 tea-plant. Perceiving that there must be some mystic meaning connected with 

 this strange incident, the peasant in question picked some basketf uls of the leaves 

 from the shrubs, and for trial manufactured tea thereof. The result was that an 

 excellent tea was produced, emitting a stimulating, fragrant flavor, a few cups of 

 which were sufficient to convince him that it was verily a most delicious beverage. 

 Upon this, he started the manufacturing work of the tea, christening it " Oolong," 

 that literally signifies " Black Dragon." 



When making Formosa Oolong tea, use a small, dry and thoroughly clean 

 hot teapot to be filled with warm water. Put in one teaspoon! ul of the tea-leaves 

 for each cup desired, pour on the required quantity of freshly boiled water, and let 

 the receptacle stand from two to three minutes, with its lids closed. It will make 

 a better tea if lightly mixed with milk or sugar Care must be taken not to boil 

 tea-leave? and to keep them strictly air-tight, Let me give below a table as fur< 



