The Closet of Sir Kenelm Digby Knight Opened eBook

Kenelm Digby
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 332 pages of information about The Closet of Sir Kenelm Digby Knight Opened.

The Closet of Sir Kenelm Digby Knight Opened eBook

Kenelm Digby
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 332 pages of information about The Closet of Sir Kenelm Digby Knight Opened.

He makes Metheglin thus.  Make a good Decoct of Eglantine-leaves, Cowslip flowers, a little Sweet-marjoram, and some Rosemary and Bay-leaves, Betony, and Scabious, and a little Thyme.  After the sediment hath settled, put 1/3 or 1/4 or 1/5 or 1/6 part of honey, (according as you would have it strong, and soon ready) to the clear severed from the settlement, and stir it exceeding well with stripped arms 4 or 5 hours, till it be perfectly incorporated.  Then boil and scum it; let it then cool and tun it up, &c.  After it hath cooled, lade the clean from the settlement, so that it may not trouble it, and run up the clear thus severed from the settlings.  Much of the perfection consisteth in stirring it long with stripped arms before you boil it.  Then to boil it very leisurely till all the scum be off.  And order your fire so, that the scum may rise and drive all to one side.  This will be exceeding pale clear and pleasant Metheglin.  He useth to every Gallon of water, a good handful of Eglantine-leaves, and as much Cowslip flowers; but onely a Pugil of Thyme or Marjoram.

AN EXCELLENT WAY OF MAKING WHITE METHEGLIN

Take of Sweet-bryar berries, of Rosemary, broad Thyme, of each a handful.  Boil them in a quantity of fair water for half an hour; then cleanse the water from the herbs, and let it stand 24 hours, until it be thorough cold.  Then put your hony into it (hony which floweth from the Combs of it self in a warm place is best) make it so strong of the honey that it bear an egge (if you will have it strong) the breadth of a groat above the Liquor.  This being done, lave and bounce it very well and often, that the honey and water may incorporate and work well together.  After this boil it softly over a gentle fire, and scum it.  Then beat the whites of eggs with their shells, and put into it to clarifie it.  After this, put some of it into a vessel, and take the whites of two eggs, and a little barm, and a small quantity of fine flower; beat them well together, and put it into the vessel close covered, that it may work.  Then pour the rest into it by degrees, as you do Beer.  At last take a quantity of Cinamon, 2 or 3 races of Ginger, and two Nutmegs (for more will alter the colour of it.) Hang these in a little bag in the vessel.  Thus made, it will be as white as any White-wine.

ANOTHER WAY OF MAKING WHITE METHEGLIN

To three Gallons of Spring-water take three quarts of honey, and set it over the fire, till the scum rises pretty thick.  Then take off the scum, and put in Thyme, Rosemary, Hyssop and Maiden-hair, of each one handful; and two handfuls of Eglantine leaves, and half a handful of Organ.  The spices, Ginger, Nutmegs, Cinamon and a little mace, and boil all these together near half an hour.  Then take it from the fire, and let it stand till it be cold, and then strain it, and so Tun it up, and stop it close.  The longer you keep it, the better it will be.

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The Closet of Sir Kenelm Digby Knight Opened from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.