Domestic science (1914 text-book)

In curing green tea, the leaves are allowed to ferment. A short time after they are gathered, they are roasted in pans or steamed. They are then rolled by hand upon a table and again roasted for an hour or more. During the process of roasting, they are occasionally stirred. They come out from this process with a dark green color, which gradually lightens. In Japan, green tea is often cured by putting the tea leaves in baskets and drying them in the sun. This kind of tea is known as "basket-fired," or "sun-dried.'' There is another kind of tea, used to a large extent in Russia, which is known as brick tea. It is made by grinding the leaves, steaming them till soft and mushy, and pressing the pulpy mass into brick molds. Brick tea is used largely by the inhabitants of Tibet and Mongolia, who prize it so highly that they use the bricks as money, each brick passing for a value equal to about fifteen cents. According to the locality where produced, the time of collecting, stage of leaf development, etc., teas are known by various names. Some of the brands of black tea are Oolong, Formosa, Orange Pekoe. Pekoe tea is made from the very youngest and topmost leaves of the plant. It can be readily distinguished by the little yellow tip of each leaf. It is scented with orange leaves. All Pekoe teas are very expensive. The best green tea comes from Japan. Some brands are Hyson, Japan, and Gunpowder. All tea importers have buyers in the tea-growing countries. These buyers must be "tea tasters," that is, they must be able to detect by odor, examination, and taste just the difference between teas, and how much each is worth. Value of Tea in the Dietary Tea is valuable on account of its stimulating effect on the nervous system whereby it helps tired nerves to recover themselves. It is a good thing for grown people to use if taken moderately. When tea is used, less food is required, for by Digitized by Google its use less tissue is worn out, and consequently there is less tissue to repair. If taken in excess, however, it is very harmful, for it produces sleeplessness and nervousness. Children should never be allowed to drink tea, for it checks the development of the nervous system. Digitized by Google In order to buy economically and wisely one should know the products to be bought — their origin, grades, and serviceableness. There is no knowledge of food products that will not be of value in selecting foods for the table. In addition to this is the pleasure and the mental stimulation that comes from an acquaintance with the materials handled in cookery. No amount of book instruction will take the place of firsthand knowledge obtained at the market or in the grocery store. To be able to handle the products, to see the different grades and prices, and to question the salesmen concerning them, gives value to the instruction given by the teacher and that obtained from books. Weights and measures: Most states have sealers of weights and measures or inspectors who test the accuracy of scales aiid of measures. Purchasers should make certain that they are getting just weight or full measure by noting whether the official stamp of the inspector is on the scales or measures. The purchase of all vegetables and fruits by weight is much the fairer method and the tendency in state laws is to require sales and purchases to be made in that way. It would be well also if eggs were sold by weight. The state of Iowa has established by law a weight of 1^ lb. for a dozen hens' eggs.