BLACK TEA BLENDS.
Formula No. 1.
For a low-priced Tea suitable for restaurant and general trade where a cheap, heavy-bodied and strong-flavored liquor is the main consideration:—
| Parts. | Varieties. | Price. |
| 2 | Ning-chow Congou | @ .14 |
| 10 | Amoy Oolong | @ .12 |
| Average cost | .13 | |
In the Oolong, which forms the base of this blend, a little coarseness may be tolerated, but “herby” and “weedy” Teas must be avoided, as what pungency is required is supplied by the Congou, which must, however, be free from any suspicion of oldness or staleness, and if not sufficiently heavy, the addition of one part of Broken-leaf Assam will supply this defect.
No. 2.
Another low-priced blend is composed as follows:—
| Parts. | Varieties. | Price. |
| 2 | Oonfa Congou | @ .20 |
| 8 | Mohea Oolong | @ .16 |
| Average cost | .16½ | |
No. 3.
For a low-priced to a fair grade Tea-blend the following combination has been found satisfactory in a mining or manufacturing district, where a full, heavy, substantial Tea is required:—
| Parts. | Varieties. | Price. |
| 1 | Moning Congou | @ .20 |
| 2 | Amoy Oolong | @ .20 |
| 7 | Foochow Oolong | @ .20 |
| Average cost | .20 | |
This combination yields a dark-colored, heavy-bodied, “grippy” beverage, one that will stand a second drawing and still be strong and flavory.
No. 4.
Intended for same class of trade if former should not adequately please:—
| Parts. | Varieties. | Price. |
| 1 | Foochow Oolong | @ .18 |
| 2 | Kaisow Congou | @ .20 |
| 10 | Ning-yong Oolong | @ .16 |
| Average cost | .19 | |
The Ning-yong in this combination should be clean and as sweet-drawing as can be had for the price, and the Congou as high-toasted as possible. If not sufficiently heavy or pungent, the addition of one pound Broken-leaf Assam will improve it in this respect wonderfully.
No. 5.
For a fair to medium blend, a combination like the following will be found to give almost universal satisfaction in any locality where a full-ripe round liquor and high flavor is in demand:—
| Parts. | Varieties. | Price. |
| 1 | Ning-chow Congou | @ .30 |
| 2 | Foochow Oolong | @ .24 |
| 2 | Formosa Oolong | @ .24 |
| Average cost | .24¼ | |
The Foochow Oolong in this combination while possessing a full body is not sufficiently flavory to tone-up the combination, the Formosa Oolong is added for this purpose, the Congou giving character to the whole.
No. 6.
To obtain a grippy Tea, one that will stand a second drawing and still possess sufficient body and flavor to please, the following is suggested:—
| Parts. | Varieties. | Price. |
| 2 | Foochow Oolong | @ .15 |
| 3 | Formosa Oolong | @ .20 |
| 5 | Kaisow Congou | @ .24 |
| Average cost | .21 | |
No. 7.
A blend similar to the following will be found to give very general satisfaction at all times and in all sections, being full rich, and strong, yet withal smooth and pleasing to the average taste and entirely dissimilar to any single variety in common use:—
| Parts. | Varieties. | Price. |
| 1 | Moning Congou | @ .30 |
| 1 | Basket-fired Japan | @ .30 |
| 8 | Formosa Oolong | @ .30 |
| Average cost | .30 | |
A fair Nankin Moyune Tea may be substituted for the Japan when Green Tea is required in the combination, or, better still, added to it in such cases.
No. 8.
A very serviceable Tea that will yield a rich, heavy-bodied pungent liquor, much admired by Irish or English tea consumers, is composed as follows:—
| Parts. | Varieties. | Price. |
| 3 | Formosa Oolong | @ .30 |
| 3 | Pekoe-tipped Assam | @ .30 |
| Average cost | .30 | |
In this combination the Assam is introduced to add strength to the piquancy of the Formosa, both forming a full-bodied, fragrant Tea in conjunction.
No. 9.
The appended blend yields a clear, strong, bright infusion, rich and fragrant in flavor and pleasing in aroma, for those who desire an all-black Tea.
| Parts. | Varieties. | Price. |
| 1 | Assam Pekoe | @ .30 |
| 3 | Basket-fired Japan | @ .24 |
| 5 | Formosa Oolong | @ .30 |
| 10 | Foochow Oolong | @ .26 |
| Average cost | .27 | |
The Oolongs in this combination lack body and pungency, which the addition of the Assam imparts, the Japan giving the necessary fragrance.
No. 10.
The following blend has been found to give almost universal satisfaction in a neighborhood composed chiefly of a working class and to Tea drinkers generally, costing much less than any single variety possessing the same cup qualities:—
| Parts. | Varieties. | Price. |
| 5 | Foochow Oolong | @ .20 |
| 5 | Sun-dried Japan | @ .20 |
| 5 | Assam Souchong | @ .20 |
| Average cost | .20 | |
No. 11.
If the trade be a professional one, a blend like the following will be found to suit the most fastidious taste:—
| Parts. | Varieties. | Price. |
| 1 | Moyune Young Hyson | @ .40 |
| 4 | Choice Foochow Oolong | @ .40 |
| 5 | Choice Formosa Oolong | @ .40 |
| Average cost | .40 | |
No. 12.
When a particularly rich, full-bodied aromatic-flavored Tea is required to please a taste otherwise difficult to suit, the appended formula is recommended.
| Parts. | Varieties. | Price. |
| 2 | Choicest Foochow Oolong | @ |
| 3 | Choicest Ceylon Pekoe | @ |
| 5 | Choicest Formosa Oolong | @ |
| Average cost | ||
No. 13.
Another combination like the following that is unique in itself, the flavor being unlike that of any single variety grown.
| Parts. | Varieties. | Price. |
| 5 | Basket-fired Japan | @ |
| 10 | Foochow Oolong | @ |
| 10 | Moyune Young Hyson | @ |
| Average cost | ||
But if still not of sufficient strength, add one part of fine Moning or Kaisow Congou to tone it up.
No. 14.
The three most satisfactory and attractive blends in Black Teas, however, are composed as follows, which may be divided into Choice, Extra Choice and Choicest, and are warranted to suit any taste or section of the country, in addition to the fact that the dealer need not carry too many kinds for their preparation.
No. 15.
CHOICE.
| Parts. | Varieties. | Price. |
| 2 | Kaisow Congou | @ .30 |
| 8 | Foochow Oolong | @ .30 |
| Average cost | .30 | |
No. 16.
EXTRA CHOICE.
| Parts. | Varieties. | Price. |
| 2 | Moning Congou | @ .35 |
| 2 | Basket-fired Japan | @ .35 |
| 6 | Foochow Oolong | @ .35 |
| Average cost, | .35 | |
No. 17.
CHOICEST.
| Parts. | Varieties. | Price. |
| 2 | Fine Ning-chow Congou | @ .40 |
| 2 | Fine Basket-fired Japan | @ .40 |
| 6 | Fine Formosa Oolong | @ .40 |
| Average cost, | .40 | |
Ning-chow is one of the best of the Moning Congou Teas for blending purposes; the finer grades being Pekoe-tipped and flavored. The dried leaf is small, evenly curled and grayish-black in color, while the infused leaf is of a bright-brown color with a tendency to red in the cup. The liquor is rich, ripe and full in body, and the flavor is more delicate and aromatic than that of any of the other varieties of Congou Tea. The medium and lower grades will also be found very useful to the dealer, as they are heavy and strong in liquor, combining advantageously with most of the other Teas and keeping as a general rule much better.
To these may be added the following combinations.
No. 18.
FINE.
| Parts. | Varieties. | Price. |
| 1 | Choice Assam Pekoe | @ |
| 5 | Choice Foochow Oolong | @ |
| Average cost | ||
No. 19.
EXTRA FINE.
| Parts. | Varieties. | Price. |
| 1 | Ceylon Golden Pekoe | @ |
| 5 | Choice Formosa Oolong | @ |
| Average cost | ||
No. 20.
FINEST.
| Parts. | Varieties. | Price. |
| 5 | Choicest Foochow Oolong | @ |
| 5 | Choicest Formosa Oolong | @ |
| Average cost | ||
In the general run of trade these grades are unmatchable at any price, and may be termed the perfection of Tea at their respective prices, suiting any and all tastes.