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
Then cover your But-head with a sheet onely
in Summer, but blankets in Winter; and let your Liquor work about 24 hours
or more. The measure of that is, till the barm (which is raised to a great
head) beginneth a little to fall. Then presently scum of the thick head of
the barm, but take not all away so scrupulously, but that there may remain
a little white froth upon the face of the Liquor. Which scoop and lade
strongly, mingling all to the bottom, that this little remaining barm may
by this agitation be mixed a new with the whole. Then immediately Tun this
Liquor into two hogsheads that have served for Spanish-wine (be sure to
fill them quite full) and there let it work two or three days; that is to
say, till you see that all the feculent substance is wrought out, and that
what runneth out, beginneth to be clear, though a little whitish or frothy
on the upperside of the stream that runs down along the outside of the
hogshead. (If there should be a little more then to fill two hogsheads, put
it in a Rundlet by it self.) Then take some very strong firm Paper, and wet
it on one side with some of the barm that works out, and lay that side over
the bung to cover it close. The barm will make it stick fast to the
hogshead. This covering will serve for a moneth or two. Then stop it close
with strong Cork fitted to the hole, with a linnen about it, to press it
fast in: But let a little vent with a peg in it be made in hogshead, in
some fit place above. This may be fit to broach in five or six moneths; but
three weeks or a moneth before you do so, put into each hogshead half an
ounce of Cinnamon; and two ounces of Cloves beaten into most subtile
powder. (Sometimes he leaves out the Cloves) which will give it a most
pleasant flavor; and they (as the Ginger did) sink down to the bottome and
never trouble the Liquor. If they be put in long before (much more if they
be boiled) they loose all their taste and Spirits entirely. This will last
very well half a year drawing. But if you stay broaching it a year, and
then draw it into bottles, it will keep admirable good three or four years,
growing to be much better, then when broached at six months end. It will be
purer, if you first boil the water by it self, then let it settle 24 hours;
and pour the clear from the earthy sediment, which will be great, and
dissolve your honey in that. You may Aromatise it with Ambergreece or Musk,
or both (if you like them) by dissolving a very few Pastils in a Runlet of
this Liquor, when you draw it into little vessels, (as He useth to do after
five or six moneths) or with a few drops of the Extract of them. This
Metheglin is a great Balsom and strengthener of the _Viscera_; is excellent
in colds and coughs and consumptions. For which last they use to burn it
(like wine) or rather onely heat it. Then dissolve the yolk of an Egge or
two in a Pint of it, and some fresh Butter, and drink it warm in the
morning fasting. As it comes from the Barrel or Bottle, it is used to be
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