The Only Woman Tea Taster

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18255, 25 November 1933, Page 10

The Only Woman Tea Taster

lUISS Margaret Irving, an Edinburgh ” girl who tastes and buys tea lot an important London linn, is the only woman taster, and in an interview with. J. O, Bristow-Noble in the Sunday at Homo she tolls how she carries out her work for the “afternoon tea” ol' other women. “During the last few* years 1 have tasted tens of thousands of different kinds of teas. “Tea tasting is a profession that can only be acquired by long practice. A keen sense of taste and smell is essential. Here is where the tasting is done,” she continued. ‘‘Of each tea to be tasted I weigh out a quantity equal in weight to a sixpence, and then it goes into one of those pots. Each pot holds a third of a pint ol water, The water is poured on the tea when exactly at boiling-point. The lid is then put on the pot and the ten is left for .six minutes to brow. This little clock, which was made especiallj for the purpose, strikes when the six minutes are up After I have tasted the tea, which I do simply i>y taking a little into my mouth, but without swallowing any, 1 examine the scalded tea-leaves. This Ido by putting some of them on the inverted tea-pot lid. A bright copper color Is a sign of a good tea. People should make a note if this. “A good light is essential for tasting and valuing, and for that reason all tasting is shut down during fogs and dark days. “No two teas arc exactly alike. They vary district by district and garden by garden. If there was no such, thing as blending, the flavors would be far from pleasant. T lie tea plant itself is practically the same in all countries, the climate, soil, and the conditions of cultivation being responsible for the many different. flavors and qualities.”

A MOTIIKK, son, and dauglilor wore 'married at Otl'oy (Yorks) Parish Chure.h recently. . First the son Was marriod, and then there was <t double ceremony at which the brides were the mother and daughter. The son returned to the church after his wedding to give his mother away.