=Hyson-Pekoe=—Called by the Chinese “_Loung-tsien_”, literally
“Tea-of-the-wells-of-the-Dragon,” a term used to describe an exceedingly
rare, peculiar and expensive variety of green tea, which, owing to its
extreme tenderness and delicacy and very light firing is never exported.
It has a small, evenly-curled leaf, rich, natural green in color, with
whitish, downy or silvery ends. The infusion is of a pale or
light-golden yellow tinge, clear and sparkling as champagne in the cups
and possessing what the connoisseur would term a simply exquisite aroma
or “bouquet.”
=Hyson-Skin=—Termed by the Chinese _Twankay_ or “Refuse tea,” is
composed of the largest and oldest leaves, screenings or “Fannings” of
the foregoing varieties, that cannot, owing to their coarse or broken
condition, be rolled or curled. It is large, loose and flat in
appearance, varying in color, liquor and flavor according to the grade
from which it is separated in screening. Many of them, however, draw and
drink exceedingly well, making very useful teas for blending purposes.
China Black Teas
comprise Oolongs, Congous, Souchongs and Scented teas, and are
principally produced in the south-eastern provinces of Fo-kien and
Kiang-nan.
Oolong Teas.
The term Oolong is derived from the Chinese word _Ou-loung_, signifying
“Green dragon,” and is applied to a variety of tea having a small
greenish-yellow leaf permeating through it. They are divided into six
different kinds—Amoys, Foochows, Formosas, Ankois, Saryune, Padrae and
Pekoe-Oolong teas, possessing as many distinct flavors and characters
caused by the variations in soil, climate and mode of preparation.
=Amoy Oolongs=—Are divided into Kokews, Mohea and Ningyong from the
localities where grown, and differ much in size, style and character.
=Kokew=—Is a large, dark, coarse-leaf tea, rough and unsightly in the
hand, but pungent and “grippy” in the cup. The poorer grades possess a
wild or “herby” flavor—a quality, strange to say, appreciated by some
few tea-drinkers, but strongly objected to by the majority of consumers.
=Mohea=—Is a large, light and somewhat “chaffy” leaf tea, light-colored
and light-bodied in the cup, but withal smooth and pleasant in flavor.
But, although lacking in strength, it is a serviceable tea for blending
purposes, particularly in combination with a heavy Congou or Assam, in
the proportion of one of the latter to four parts Mohea, being too thin
when used alone.
=Ningyongs=—Are light in weight, greenish-yellow in color and
stylish-looking in the hand, though not well made or twisted. They are
also very pleasing in the cup, possessing a sort of “hickory-nut” flavor
for which they are much admired, but are thin in body and lacking in
“snap.” It is contended by some experts that if this variety were
converted into a green tea it would rank with a light drawing Moyune in
drinking qualities.
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