1283. Substitute for Cream.—If you have not cream for coffee, it is a very great improvement to boil your milk, and use it while hot.
1284. Cocoa is the foundation of chocolate; it may be pounded, and either boiled as milk, or boiling water may be poured on it. It is very digestible, and of a fattening nature.
1285. Racahout des Arabes; a pleasant beverage for Invalids.—Mix thoroughly one pound of ground rice; one pound of arrow-root; half pound of fine chocolate. Put the mixture into a jar for use. When it is wanted, make a tablespoonful of the Racahout into a paste with cold water or milk; then stir it into half a pint of boiling milk, and let it boil up for a minute or two; add sugar, if agreeable, and drink it as you would chocolate.
1286. How to judge the Properties of Nutmegs.—The largest, heaviest, and most unctuous of nutmegs are to be chosen, such as are the shape of an olive, and of the most fragrant smell.
1287. To keep Grapes.—Gather the grapes in the afternoon of a dry day, before they are perfectly ripe. Have ready a clean dry barrel and wheat bran. Proceed then with alternate layers of bran and grapes, till the barrel is full, taking care that the grapes do not touch each other, and to let the last layer be of bran; then close the barrel, so that the air may not be able to penetrate, which is an essential point. Grapes, thus packed, will keep nine or even twelve months. To restore them to their freshness, cut the end of the stalk of each bunch of grapes, and put that of white grapes into white wine, and that of the black grapes into red wine, as you would put flowers into water, to revive or keep them fresh.