Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-06
DISCUSSION ON TEA DRINKING.
View Of Experts Accords With the
Common Sense Opinion of the Masses.

common sense opinion Of the Masses.
From the New York Herald
The discussion on the use of tea growing
out of Mr. Larltin's vituperous challenge OF
certain facts which recently appeared in
the Herald and the resultant loss of his
presumably valuable patronage of our adj
vertising columns have proved in the end
interesting and profitable in a variety OF
ways. From the smallest beginnings It has
expanded into portentous proportions, en-
gasing the attention of scientific and med
ical men of both continents AS in multi
tude of counselors there is proportionate
wisdom some very practical facts have
been adduced which otherwise would not
have been so exhaustively presented to the
public.
The consensus of opinion among the ex-
perts who have thus far favored US with
their views fully accords with the common
sense views of the millions Of tea drinkers
throughout the world.
Like every other beverage, 1t has been
shown that tea when used in moderation
is beneficial, but when abused is proper
tionately harmful To certain individuals
of extremely nervous temperament it is.
as a rule, always detrimental, increasing
irritability. provoking wakefulness, dis
turbing digestion, causing headache and
inducing lassitude. But this, fortunately
for the tea lovers is not the rule. The
blame it, after all his experience of the
discomforts named he persists In the
habit.
The degree of pIeasurable tolerance Is
also measured by the suscep tibiiity to eff
facts in each individual. The sensible
person adapts himself according to his in
dividual gauge and becomes a law unto
himself as to the extent of his indulgence.
These propositions apply to all teas of all
qualities and fix general rule for their
judcious use.
In proportion also to the high grade
and purity of any given tea are the real
dangers of it's use minimfzed. This fact
has been abundantly proved by the vari-
Gus experts who have expressed their
views in the Herald.
There is no doubt of the fact that tea
drinking has become a fixed habit among
all civilized nations, and 1t is equally evil
dent that the habit is increasing In these
strenuous times of strained endeavor. 1t
is comforting, however, In such connec-
ton to believe that pure tea used in mod
Grafton is, on the whole, beneficial rather
than otherwise. Thus employed, it moder-
ates unnecessary tire, relieves nervous eX-
haustion and Is grateful and diffusioie
stimulant which Is merely temporary In
it's action.
Ordinarily a single cupful is sufficient
for such purpose, especially when a small
portion of food Is taken with the drink.
The late Sir Andrew Clarke. of London,
who was a tea drinker himself, always ad-
vised this course, and his practice being
among the English ariStocracy he is
largely credited with fixing the fashion of
the day. He maintained that In no other
way could the greatest benefits Of pleas
urable stimula ton be obtained and the
digestion be kept in good condition. Thus
the midafternoon tea, with it's accom-
panying sandwich. has scientific as well
as palatable reason for its popularity.
The mode of prN)aration of the tea is
also a very important consideration. 1t
has been demonstrated by the Herald In
teryieWs that only the volatile constftu-
ents of the leaf possess the requisite ex-
hilarating properties, while certain other
extracted materials, notably fannie acid,
are markedly unhealthrul. Fortunately the
former desirable products can be easily
obtained by the simple method of infusion,
hind This is the method of the oldest
tea drinking nations. The Chinese, Rus
slams and Japanese merely pour the hot
water on the few leaves in the cup, sip
deliberately and appetiZingly the aromatic
solution, and then throw away the dregs
for q fresh supply. In England, America
and France the perforated tea ball an
swers like purpose.
To boil the leaves, especially those or the
cheaper grade, is the surest way not only
TO destroy the coveted flavor of the bev-
erage but also thereby to extract all the
objectionable products of the compound. 1t
Is agreed by all unprecedented tea users that
the inferior grades of leaf contain, as a
rule a disproportionate amount of dele
terio,s products as compared with the ia
yoring principles, which Is the strongest
argument in favor of preparation by in
e,s,on The aim them should be to get
The most of good from the poor leaf and
the least of harm from the higher grade.