65. Tea is more used in this country than any other unintoxicating beverage. Taken in moderate quantity it is not injurious, but in large quantity it is hurtful, especially to persons who are not well fed. Tea is best made in an earthenware teapot, which should be kept dry, for if allowed to remain damp after use it acquires a musty flavour. The water should be boiling, and, if possible, soft; when hard water is used, it may be softened by being kept boiling for half-an-hour, when the lime which causes the hardness is partly thrown down, forming what is called fur or rock on the kettle; or a very small quantity of carbonate of soda may also be used, or the tea may be allowed to remain soaking for half-an-hour by the fire-side, or be covered over with a woollen cover to prevent the escape of heat. As a general rule, the harder the water the longer the tea should be allowed to remain before use, care being taken to keep its temperature as near as practicable to that of the boiling point.