Pure water ranks as the first and most important of beverages. An adult should drink about three pints of water a day. Tea and coffee are stimulants, furnishing no real nutriment to the body, as they give neither heat nor energy, nor do they build tissue. If taken in excess, tea and coffee tend to produce nervousness, insomnia, pal-pitation of the heart, etc.

The stimulating property of coffee and tea is due to caffeine. They also contain tannin, an astringent, which is drawn out by boiling and which is injurious to the digestive organs. Tea and coffee should not be given to children. Cocoa and chocolate contain protein, fat, and starch, hence have a food value in addition to the milk added in making a beverage. They form a valuable hot beverage for children. Cocoa also contains theobromine, which is of like nature to caffeine, but is a milder and less harmful stimulant.

Experiment 53

(a) Pour 1 c. cold water on 1/2 ts. tea. Let stand one-half hour. Strain and heat.

(6) Pour 1 c. boiling water on 1/2 ts. tea. Let stand three minutes in warm place.

(c) Pour 1 c. boiling water on 1/2 ts. tea and boil five minutes.

(d) Put 1/2 ts. tea in fine strainer (tea ball) and pour 1 c. boiling water through it.

Compare results as to strength, flavor, color. Reserve part of each for the next test.

Experiment 54

Fill four test tubes 1/4 full of each of the above solutions, add slowly to each a saturated solution of cupric acetate until the liquid is a light green. Boil. Allow the precipi-tates to settle and compare amounts. This will indicate the relative amounts of tannin present. Which of the above methods should be used in making tea ? Which avoided ?

Experiment 55

(a) Pour 1/2 c. boiling water through 1 tb. fine coffee placed in a fine strainer, or in cheesecloth.

(6) Boil 1 tb. coffee and 1/2 c. water ten minutes.

Compare results as to flavor and strength. Test results of (a) and (b) as in Experiment 54 for tannin.

Experiment 56

(a) Pour 1/2 c. boiling water on 1/2 ts. tea.

(6) Pour 1/2 c. hot water on 1/2 ts. tea.

Let both stand five minutes. Compare strength, color, flavor. Which is the best solvent for tea, hot or boiling water ? Are there tea leaves floating on the surface when the hot water is used ? When boiling water is used?

Note

Students bring cost price of several leading brands of tea, coffee, chocolate, and cocoa.

Cost Of Tea

Weigh \ lb. tea. Measure the number of teaspoonfuls it contains. Estimate the number of cups of tea that may be prepared from 1 lb. Estimate cost per cup of teas of different prices.