The Closet of Sir Kenelm Digby Knight OpenedDigby, Kenelm
History
The Closet of Sir Kenelm Digby Knight Opened
Digby, Kenelm
Cooking -- Early works to 1800; Digby, Kenelm, Sir, 1603-1665; Liquors; Wine and wine making -- Early works to 1800
Dissolve your honey in the water till it bear an Egge higher or lower,
according to the strength you will have it of. Then put into it some
Sea-wormwood and a little Rosemary, and a little Sage; about too good
handfuls of all together, to ten Gallons. When it hath boiled enough to
take the vertue of the herbs, skim them out, and strew a handful or two of
fine Wheat-flower upon the boyling Liquor.
This will draw all the dregs to it, and swim at the top, so that you may
skim all off together. And this she holdeth the best way of clarifying the
Liquor, and making it look pale. Then pour it into vessels as above to
cool. Let it stand three days; then Tun it up into a Sack cask without yest
or Spice, and keep it stopped till it work. Then let it be open, till it
have done working, filling it up still with other honey-drink. Then stop it
up close for a year or two. You may at first stop it so, that the strong
working may throw out the stopple, and yet keep it close, till it work
strongly. She saith, that such a small proportion of wormwood giveth it a
fine quick tast, and a pale colour with an eye of green. The wormwood must
not be so much, as to discern any the least bitterness in the taste; but
that the composition of it with the honey may give a quickness. The
Rosemary and Sage must be a great deal less then the Wormwood. Sometimes
she stoppeth it up close as soon as she hath Tunned it, and lets it remain
so for three moneths. Then pierce it and draw it into bottles, which stop
well, and tie down the stoppels. This will keep so a long time. She useth
this way most. It makes the Mead drink exceeding quick and pleasant. When
you pierce the Cask, it will flie out with exceeding force, and be ready to
throw out the stopper and spigot.
TO MAKE WHITE MEATH
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