1869 Cooling Cups and Dainty drinks by William Terrington

TEMPERATE BEVERAGES. —

TEA.

Tea is the decoction made from the dried leaves of the varieties of the plant Thea, which is a native of Japan and China, known as Thea, Bohea, and Thea Vi/ridis, and another species, Thea Assamica, commonly called Assam tea, grown in Assam in the Presidency of Bengal. In growth and form of leaf the plant resembles the myrtle. Its blossoms are white, similar to our wild rose, and very fra- The best known varieties are, of black teas, Bohea, Congou, Souchong, and Pekoe. Orange pekoe owes its delicious perfume and flavour to being scented with the blossoms of an olive ( Olea fragrans ) ; and the flowers of the Tasminum sambic and Gardenia fiorida are also grant. The seeds of the berries yield an aromatic oil. Tea contains theine, an alkaloid similar to caffeine and theobroma.