Indian Teas.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6382, 30 October 1888, Page 1

Indian Teas.

. ■ » — Great. Britain* which is no doubt one of the greatest tea-drinking countries in the world, some fifty years ago drew the whole of her supplies from China alone. Bat at tHe present time, owing to the large amount of snecesa attending the endeavours of the Indian Tea planters, and the consequent increasing demand for his Teas, it is estimated that the present season will see nearly one hundred million pounds of Indian Tea imported into Great Britain, or nearly one-half of the total amount consumed. At present the bulk of Jhdia Tea is used for blending purposes, for the reason that it possesses decided and distinotivequalities as compared with others, which, perhaps,, is appreciated only by a few; but the taste for India Tea is soon acquired, and when attained other teas, to a certain extent, become insipid. >' Indian Teas must certainly have very decided merits to have gained so much favour in so short a time, and it seems quite within the bounds of possibility that, very shortly, they will have completely superseded those of China; one important fact that will certainly assist to a consummation of such a contingency, is— that of h^te years China Teas have deteriorated in quality to an alarming extent, and each succeeding year only tends to confirm this. No doubt China Teas have the advantage in variety, which, according to the present public taste, are almost indispensable for flavouring and blending purposes, which, in the hands of a judicious tea blender, may be used with great advantage for the improvement of other teas. Taylor, Papps and ' Co. have had many years of such experience, which, combined with the very low rate of profit, for which they sell their teas, no doubt accounts for the large amount of favour with which they are received. Their orange- flavoured blended teas, at Is lOd and 2b per lb, we consider