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remarkable character of the tea. The Flowery Pekoe 
realized about 30 per cent, more than the choicest sample of 
Assam Flowery Pekoe, which, in its turn, commands usually 
from 10 to 20 per cent, more than the finest samples of 
Chinese Flowery Pekoe. The Souchongs, however, were 
intrinsically the most valuable tea, and realized rates about 
equivalent to the then ruling rates of Assam Souchong. 
The Congou, although unprepossessing in leaf, is excellent in 
quality. It realized the current rate of Assam Congou. 
The samples now submitted for inspection consist of 
Souchongs (1st and 2nd class,) and also of Congou. As 
compared with tea grown in China, the Cachar teas are 
distinguished by tbe hue of the leaf, which is very dark 
brown with a dead effect, or what is technically named 
“ bloom ” by the tea tasters. They are almost devoid of 
scent, and are excessively crisp and hard — technically, “ in 
very high condition.” In all the foregoing particulars they 
closely resemble Assam teas, but in the feature in which 
Assam teas have outvied those of Chinese growth, and 
thus commanded a high position in the tea market, 
the Cachar teas unquestionably excel — viz., in extreme 
strength, flavour, and pungency. Assam tea might be 
described as twice as strong as China tea, but Cachar 
Souchong is really thrice as strong as China tea. The 
flavour of Assam and Cachar teas is most suitable for 
mixing with Chinese tea, to bring up the flavour, and 
enable the tea to “hold out well” or bear a second 
infusion. 
The teas produced in Java, and largely consumed in 
Holland and Belgium, are similar to Cachar teas in appear- 
ance, possessing the “ bloom ” alluded to in the foregoing 
remarks, but in quality they are diametrically opposed, the 
Java Congous and Souchongs, although strong, being soft, 
“ treacle-y” and entirely wanting in pungency. 
There can be no doubt that if Cachar tea can be pro- 
duced in quantity, with the characteristics exhibited in the 
