CHAP. VII.
Of Aniseed Water.
Aniseed is a small Seed of an oblong Shape, each way ending in an obtuse Point; its Surface is very deeply striated, and it is of a soft and lax Substance, very light and easily broken. Its colour is a Kind of pale olive, or greenish grey; it has a very strong and aromatic Smell, and a sweetish but acrid Taste, but in the whole not disagreeable. Aniseed should be chosen large, fair, new, and clean, of a good Smell, and acrid Taste. The Plant that produces it is cultivated in many Parts of France; but the finest Seed comes from the Island of Malta, where it is raised for Sale, and whence a great Part of Europe is supplied.
Recipe for ten Gallons of Aniseed Water.
Take of Aniseed bruised two Pounds, Proof Spirits twelve Gallons and a Half, Water one Gallon; draw off ten Gallons with a moderate Fire.
Or,
Take of the Seeds of Anise and Angelica, each two Pounds, Proof Spirits twelve Gallons and a half; draw off as before.
Aniseed Water should never be reduced below Proof, because of the large Quantity of Oil with which the Spirit is impregnated, and which will render the Goods milky and foul, when brought down below Proof; but if there be a necessity for doing this, the Goods must be filtrated either thro’ Paper or the filtrating Bag, which will restore their Transparency.
Aniseed Water is a good Carminative, and therefore in great Request among the common People against the Cholic.
Of Caraway Water.
Caraway-seed is of an oblong and slender Figure, pointed at both Ends, and thickest in the Middle. It is striated on the Surface, considerably heavy, of a deep brown Colour, and somewhat bright or glossy. It is of a very penetrating Smell, not disagreeable, and of a hot, acrid and bitterish Taste. Caraway-seed is to be chosen large, new and of a good Colour, not dusty, and of an agreeable Smell. The Plant which produces the Caraway-seed grows wild in the Meadows of France and Italy, and in many other Places; but is sown in Fields for the sake of the Seeds in Germany, and many other Parts of Europe.
Recipe for making ten Gallons of Caraway Water.
Take of Caraway-seeds bruised three Pounds, Proof Spirit twelve Gallons, Water two Gallons; draw off ten Gallons, or till the Faints begin to rise; make the Goods up with clean Water, and dulcify with common Sugar to your Taste.
Or,
Take of Caraway-seed bruised two Pounds and a Half, Orange or Lemon-peel dried one Pound, Proof Spirit twelve Gallons, Water two Gallons; draw off and dulcify as before.
Caraway Water, like that of Aniseed, is a good Carminative; but not so much used, tho’ much pleasanter.