If you pick up Tea and Tea Blending expecting a detailed guide focused entirely on blending, you may come away slightly disappointed. Only a few chapters of this relatively short 151-page volume are devoted specifically to that topic. However, the book still offers a valuable look at tea in a broader historical and commercial context.
For readers seeking more specialized content on blending, consider this discussion of “Tea-Blending as a Fine Art” by Joseph M. Walsh, another book published in the same era. The fourth edition of Tea and Tea Blending, which is the focus here, was released in 1894. Its authorship is somewhat unclear, attributed only to a “Member of the firm of Lewis & Co.”
Despite the ambiguity surrounding its author, the book serves as a comprehensive overview of tea culture and the tea trade during the late 19th century. It begins with several chapters outlining the history of tea in England, along with statistical insights into the industry and global trade of the time.
One particularly interesting section, titled Hints on Tea Making, emphasizes the importance of proper preparation. As the author notes, “unskilful preparation can make good tea into a nauseous draft”—a reminder that even high-quality tea depends on careful brewing.
The book then shifts to a global perspective, dedicating significant attention to tea production in China, followed by discussion of tea cultivation in India. Additional chapters examine tea industries in regions such as Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka), Japan, Java, and others.
When the topic of blending is finally addressed, the author describes it as a relatively recent but increasingly common practice at the time. He suggests that blending became widespread only after Indian teas gained a strong foothold in the market. One notable insight is the discussion of how different teas pair with varying water conditions, including the hardness of water—an aspect not often highlighted in modern tea literature.
The book concludes with sample blends and a summary emphasizing the importance of understanding the principles behind tea blending. While not exhaustive on that specific subject, Tea and Tea Blending remains a useful historical resource for understanding how tea was viewed and handled in the late 19th century.
To explore the original text, see this digitized edition of “Tea and Tea Blending” available online.
See more of William I. Lengeman’s articles in this archive of tea-related writing by the author.
© Online Stores, Inc., and The English Tea Store Blog. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Excerpts allowed with proper credit.
Leave a Reply