Memoir on Tea. 
155 
loured infusion. It is worth three candarines a catty ; but 
the best quality will bring twelve candarines.* 
Ankoi. So called from the country which produces it, 
; about twenty-four days journey from Canton. It is prepared 
much in the same manner as Bohea. When this tea is in- 
tended for exportation, it is packed in large baskets, similar 
to those used for Bohea, and heated over a charcoal fire. 
There is another kind, Ankio peko. 
Sing-Io and Hyson. These teas are prepared in the follow- 
ing manner: after the leaves have been gathered, they are at 
once stoved, and rubbed between the hands to roll them ; 
after which they are spread on a table to separate them, as 
they are apt to adhere. This latter operation is performed 
by women and girls, who, according to their proficiency, can 
prepare from one to four catties a day. 
These operations are repeated, and the tea packed tightly 
in boxes, whilst hot, as otherwise it would break and crum- 
ble. 
Sing-lo is more powdery than Hyson, and must be fanned 
twice, whilst a single process of this kind is sufficient for the 
latter. The Tunkei-singlo is the best, arising from the soil 
which produces it. It grows in the Hyson districts. 
Hyson skin is thus called from its resemblance to the skin 
or pellicle of the Hyson, and is not as much esteemed as that 
tea. Hyson skin consists of larger but less handsome leaves, 
of a poor colour, and is known in London by the name of 
Bloom tea. The gomi and the oot sein are also varieties of 
Hyson. The leaves of the first are small and twisted, resem- 
bling pieces of twisted wire ; the oot sein has a shot like 
form. 
Bing tea, has received its name from the person who first 
prepared it. It grows about a four days' journey from the 
Hyson district. The leaves of this tea are long and thin, 
those of Singlo are short and thick. 
* Chinese accounts are kept in tales, maces, candarines and cashes. The tale 
is divided into 10 maces, 100 candarines, or 1000 cash. 
