1892 Drinks of the world

DRINKS.

243

tea. There Is also what is called brick tea, which is consumed in the North of China, Tartary, and Thibet, but which we never see in England. This choice tea is made from the stalks and refuse a-nd decayed twigs, mixed with the serum of sheep and ox blood, which, when it is pressed into moulds, hardens it. The Russians are said to get the finest tea that comes out of China — called Caravan Tea — which is made into large bales, covered with lead. This goes to Russia entirely overland, and to this fact some at- tribute its superior and delicate flavour. The tea trade of China is rapidly going from her, and she has but herself, and the shortsighted knavery of her growers and manufacturers, to thank for it. According to a Tea Circular,^ the following are the imports and deliveries of China tea from ist to 30th June : English people got tired of the flavourless stuff sent from China, and India and Ceylon having perfected the manufacture (which at first start of the industry of tea growing in those parts was not good), send us delicious tea, of a much higher market value than that of China. Ceylon tea, especially, has enormously won the favour of the English tea-drinking community in a 1888. 1889. 1890. 6,697,000 lbs. 508,000 lbs. 452,000 lbs. a truly fearful falling off.

^ Messrs. William, James & Henry Thompson, 38, Mincing Lane, London.