3. In spite of its higher price, it is far more economical than the Chinese produce, as, generally speaking, one-third of the quantity suffices.
4. There are lands enough in India to grow all the Tea required for England’s use, and, indeed, for all her colonies.
If these are facts, and I confidentially affirm they are so, how is it that the following holds in England?
1. Indian Tea is not known to the public.
2. Except in one or two shops in London and Glasgow, unknown to the mass of the people, not an ounce of pure Indian Tea can be bought in all England.
3. That India is even a Tea-producing country is scarcely known in England.[84]
I think I can explain some of these anomalies.
Tea is an acquired taste: by which I mean, not only that the adult who had never tasted Tea would not like it when first offered to him, but also that, with those who consume it regularly, any Tea that differs in flavour from what is habitually drunk is not relished.
It matters not whether it is intrinsically better or worse, enough that the flavour is different, for that reason it is not liked.