Beverages
Beverages may be divided into three classes :- 1. Those of the simplest kind, neither effervescent nor fermented, often infusions or decoctions of various substances, such as water, toast and water, barley water, whey, milk, lemonade, tea, coffee, &c. 2. Beverages containing a considerable amount of carbolic acid, such as ginger beer, soda water, and various mineral waters, both natural and artificial. 3. Beverages containing alcohol, such as wine and water, spirit and water, bishop, punch, &c. To whichever class, however, the beverages belong, the basis of them all is water, and no need is greater than that of obtaining a good supply of sufficiently pure water.
Water absolutely pure, i.e., consisting only of two parts of hydrogen to one of oxygen, can only be obtained by distillation, and is very flat and tasteless; but sufficiently pure we can have it, if not by filtering then by boiling. The latter means should not be resorted to unless necessary, because it renders the water dull in appearance and insipid in taste, the dissolved SEASONABLE, make this pickle in the air and gases having been driven off in the Autumn. process.
BEVERAGES, RECIPES FOR.
There are now, however, some kinds of aërated filters that improve the quality of boiled water, and it is also freshened and brightened by pouring it from one jug to another several times.
Statistics prove that in Great Britain more is spent upon alcoholic drinks than upon anything else; but as they are so much more expensive than other drinks, it does not follow that we consume a greater quantity of them than those non-alcoholic, of which the most popularis, in this country, tea. Previous to the middle of the 17th century it was not much known in England, and in 1666 it was sold at sixty shillings the pound; since when the consumption has increased from 5,000 lbs. to 50,000,000 lbs., while the price, in inverse ratio, has come down from £3 to 2s. per lb., or even less.
Next in order of popularity of nonalcoholic drinks may be mentioned coffee and cocoa, the former being a stimulating, and the latter a nourishing drink.
In their order will be found the recipes for the making of tea, coffee and cocoa, as well as home-made wines, liqueurs and cups.