The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1899-04-14
THE QUESTION OF TEA.
(which is the best tea.

The question was asked Of Dir. John
! Goodfellow. the b2st-known expert OH
tea and tea-drinking. hy 4 reporter for
the European edition of the UcrMH,
and he answered as follows:
"Well, it all depends on the point Of
view. dare say experts and leaders
in the trade would give very different
opinion from that Of the hygicnist, as
they have to hit the popular taste and
Judge accordingly But on the score
of health and dclicacv of flavor the
palm must be given to the highly y-cul-
tivated Chinese teas. They arc richer
in the stimulating thcinc and aromatic
oil and considerably poorer in tannin
than the Indian and Ceylon varieties,
and, though they do not grip the pal
ate like the latter kinds. yet. from my
standpoint-thc physiologists-th
| Chinese teas are undoubtedly V preferable
| to the more biting Indian and Ceylon
kinds
allow can good tea be distinguished
from bad tea?"
"This is really the only way to prop
erly Judge tea: \ cup OF tea should be
made in the pot Especial jugs are made
for the purpose) and the aroma and
flavor tried. Good tea is fragrant,
pours out clear. and is free from the
| drawing sensation in the mouth which
is characteristic of bad teas. Good tea
in the leaf is dry, hard, crisp, malty-
smelling, and. when hrcathed upon,
gives back a distinct aroma. Bad tea
is soft, spongy, and gives back only a
slight aroma when brcathcd upon in
the hand"
"What is the effect of tea on the
body"
''Thc effect of tea on the body varies
according to the kind of tea used and
the mode of preparation, but, assuming
that good tea, properly made, is meant,
it is generally stimulant to the ner
vous and circulatory systems. |
think tca-drinking in moderation is
beneficial in all the ordinary conditions
of life. In this century the wear and
tear of modern competition is of such a
! nature that harmless stimulant has
become almost necessity. We live
faster nowadays, and in the rush and
worry of work a refreshing stimulant
in the form Of Il properly prepared cup
of tea is beneficial, inasmuch as it not
only gives the brain much-needed
flip, but, by increasing the circula-
tion, secures healthy stimulation Of
all the organs. The eNcretory organs
share in this, and therefore there is
more rapid cleansing of the blood,
which in turn reacts bencicially on the
brain itself Ofcourse, in excess harm
full results may follow, just the same
as in the case of over-indulgence of a
perfectly wholesome food, or, if the tea
be wrongly prepared, injury to the
body may follow. Then, again, the
stimulant should be taken at suitable
times"
"Quite so; but what is moderation"
"It is difficult to fix 4 standard to
suit all cases and conditions, but the
average quantity which may be taken
in twenty four hours by a healthy
adult may be put at properly-pre-
pared infusion Of from two to three
teaspoonfuls Of good dry tea. In the
case of the highly-cultivated softer
Chinese teas more may be taken, and
less of the harsher Assam and Ceylon
varieties. But no arbitrary standard
can be fixed to meet the individual
peculiarities of different constitutions.
All that may be done is to give a rea-
sonable average, which may be in
creased or decreased to meet particular
wants under varying circumstances. ;"
"When is tea-drinking iniurious?'
"Tea is hardly to be recommended
as the morning beverage. rs the organs
| are then, after a nights reposc, nat
| urally fresh and require no stimulation.
Tea may exercise an injurious effect
when taken with the principal meal,
as the small quantity of tannic acid
which even properly-prepared tea con-
| tains is best absent when the stomach
is taxed in digesting the chief meal
The most suitable period of the day for
| the tea meal is the afternoon, from four
| to five o'clock, for at this time the ner-
| vous system begins to feel the effects
of the tension of the earlier working
hours, and by experience this time has
been universally adopted in this coun-
try. Tea should never be taken with
the supper meal, as its awakening
effect on the brain may tend to prevent
sleep. TO those who suffer from ner-
vons complaints, great trouble, or dys-
pcpsia, tea is injurious unless taken
exceedingly weak, and prepared from
high-class teas and in strictcst modcra-
ton.
Every strong intusions should be
| avoided. Tea is harmful to those who
contemplate severe excrtion, so that
athletes in training should avoid it.
In conditions of the body tending to
slccplcssncss tea is also injurious and
should not he taken TO children it
should not be given, or at most very
c1oripu1x- tho1- do not ra1uiro tho