Improvements in or connected with the Preparation of Tea for the Purpose of Rendering the Infusion of it more Digestible.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Nov., 1897-Accepted, 24th Dec., 1897
COMI LEIE
Improvements in or connected with the Preparation of Tea for the
Purpose of Rendering the Infusion of it more Digestible.
We JOHN ALFRED MARTIN of No 76 London Road Southwark in the county
of Surrey Grocer and Tea Dealer and FREDERICK DAVIS of No 51 Imperial Build-
ings Ludgate Circus in the City of London Analytical and Consulting Chemist
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the follow-
ing statement:-
The invention relates to improvements in or connected with the preparation of
tea for the purpose of rendering it more digestible. With some persons the in-
fusion of tea does not digest as readily as is desirable and for this reason many
persons who would otherwise use it daily refrain from taking it.
The infusion of tea is considered by the medical faculty to be harmful especially
to persons of weak digestion by reason of the large percentage of Tannic acid which
it contains and also from the fact that very few people make the infusion, in the
manner in which it should be made.
Now the object of the present invention is to prepare tea in such a manner that
the digestive properties of the infusion thereof will be much improved this result
being attained by preventing almost entirely the prejudicial effect of the Tannin
or Tannic acid. "For this purpose tea as ordinarily sold is moistened with a solu-
tion of gum Acaciae or gelatine or albumen and water prepared in accordance with
one of the formule Nos 1a 1b and 1ª herein set forth and whilst the tea is still
moist it is sprinkled with a powder composed of Tartrated Soda or double tartrate
of sodium and potassium neutral tartrate of potassium sulphate of sodium bicar-
bonate of potassium and dried carbonate of sodium in the proportions mentioned
in the formula No 2 herein set forth. The tea and the powder are then thoroughly
mixed and dried at a low temperature.
For one pound of tea so treated four ounces of the solution prepared under
formula No 1 1 or 1° and two ounces of the powder prepared under formula No 2
are to be used.
When the tea so treated has become quite dry this prepared tea is mixed with
ordinary tea in the proportions of one pound of prepared tea to seven pounds of
ordinary tea.
The following formulæ are examples of the proportions of the ingredients
required in the before mentioned process.
No 1 Gum Acacia four ounces cover with four ounces of cold water place the
vessel containing it in a warm place until the gum is dissolved.
Alternative No 1b Commercial Gelatine dried by means of a water bath at a
temperature of 212 degrees Fahrenheit one ounce dissolved in thirty two ounces
of boiling water and allowed to cool.

page_text: Alternative No 1° Albumen dried in same manner one ounce dissolved in twenty
ounces of tepid water not exceeding 175 degrees Fahrenheit and allowed to cool.
No 2 Mix the following ingredients in the following proportions:
'
Tartrated soda or double tartrate of sodium and potassium
Neutral tartrate of potassium
Sulphate of Sodium
Bicarbonate of potassium
Dried carbonate of sodium
two parts
one part
one part
two parts
sixteen parts
It will however be evident that these proportions may be varied without de-
parting from the spirit of the invention.
By the preparation and chemical treatment of the tea in the manner herein-
before described it is rendered highly digestible in character gastric digestion is
not retarded; the stimulating effect upon the brain is enhanced and the muscular
activity is restored and molecular change arrested thereby instituting nerve force
and the usual acid dyspepsia produced by ordinary tea does not result and even
the most delicate person may take it without fear of unpleasant consequences.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
The process of preparation of tea in the manner above described whereby by
reason of the addition of the solution and powder as above described tea is rendered
easily digestible.