The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1878-05-02
Tea.

An INFUSION OF black tea properly
prepared, produces general state Of
exhiliration, not merely temporary,
like that Occasioned by warm bevera-
ges, which do not contain the stimula-
ting principle, but more or less durable
and tending TO impart renewed energy
to the system enfeebled by fasting, cold,
fatigue or depression of spirits. The
pulse is quickened; strength and ac-
tiyity take the place of prostration, and
the stimulus continues for some hours
without leaving seriously bad effects.
All these results which are favorable to
health and comfort are obtained with
out great sacrifice, and may be put
within the reach Of very limited
means. II taken in too great quanti-
ties this may lead to a feverish condi-
ton, but in healthy person, even
black tea is carried of by perspiration.
The effects of green tea are at first
accompanied by all the pleasant sensa-
tions we have just described, but
great many persons subsequently ex-
perience other symptoms. About an
hour after imbibing the beverage, they
perceive a disturbance of the nerves
along with disposition to cape; un-
easiness In the stomach with palpita-
tiOns of the heart and very percepti-
BILE trembling of the limbs, the result of
which is general debility. These
symptoms are especially noticed in per-
sons who rarely use green tea, and
some cannot get accustomed to it,
while, with others, habit gradually
puts an end to these unpleasant sensa-
tions. Still, even among these are
many whom green tea, taken in the
evening, agitates and renders so wake
full that they cannot sleep, although
black tea has not such influence on
them. Most consumers strike a COM
promise and get along very well with
mixture of black and green tea,
which is more fragrant than any black
variety taken alone, excepting, always,
the PekeO,
Adulterations Of tea are usually made
to conceal spontaneous or accidental
changes of the original article. The
latter are generally discolorations re-
sulting from dampness or light, or
caused by an immersion in water. In
such cases, useful quantities as well as
appearance have been impaired and the
wish to restore the latter has undoubt-
edly first suggested Justification. At
all events it has been remarked that
adulterated teas have usually been i'm
pregnated with coloring substances, and
consequently the green teas are more
subject to their use than the black. In
some specimens of adulterated green
teas, chromate of lead mixed with Prus-
sian blue and indigo has been detected.
The Sanitary Commission of London, in
examinations made some years ago,
found in a great many samples ofgreen
tea, the residue ofinfused teas, Prussian
blue, curcuma and potters' clay. Many
contained the leaves of other plants,
such as the plum tree, camelia, the
most of which must be unwholesome to
a greater or less degree.
The Chinese, formerly, employed
indigo to give fine color to the green
tea; but now for the same purpose,
they use Prussian blue, adding little
curcuma to get greenish tinge.
Robert Fortune says that the Celestials
thus doctor all the teas they export,
but none that they keep athome more
over, they mix with the teas they send
away little sulphate of lime, or in
other words, plaster, to give them an
efflorescent look analogous to that of
the down upon the young leaves.