1872 Cooling Cups and Dainty Drinks (Mixellany)

TEMPERATE BEVEBAGtES.

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 Viridis, 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- grant. The seeds of the berries yield an aromatic oil. Tea contains theine, an alkaloid similar to caffeine and theobroma. 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 fragmns) ; and the flowers of the Tasminum sambic and Gardenia florida are also