| The clarifying and boiling of sugar to the different | | | | sugars, Demerara is the best. The simplest way to |
| degrees must be considered as the key to all sorts of | | | | test sugar for its purity is to dissolve a little in a glass |
| stove working, and I will give here the method used for | | | | of clear water. If the sugar be quite pure the water will |
| clarifying sugar. The pan used must be perfectly clean | | | | only be slightly thickened, but not in the least clouded, |
| and bright. Whisk two whites of eggs in one pint of | | | | neither will there be any sediment. In keeping sugar |
| water; break 30 lbs. of good lump sugar into small | | | | care should be taken to protect it from dampness and |
| pieces and put it into the pan; pour over it 6 quarts of | | | | vermin -- especially ants. |
| water, set it on a clear stove to melt, but be careful it | | | | To boil Sugar to the different degrees. |
| does not blubber and boil before it is melted; when you | | | | To the degree called "Pearled." |
| see it rise it is then boiling, and must be stopped | | | | Cover your preserving pan bottom two or three |
| immediately by putting in 1 quart of water; when it rises | | | | inches deep, boil it briskly over a clear fire for a short |
| again add the same quantity of water, and so on two | | | | time, then dip in your finger and put it to your thumb, if |
| or three times; this prevents the scum from boiling into | | | | on separating them a small string of sugar adheres to |
| the sugar and makes it rise to the top. Draw the pan | | | | each it is boiled to the degree called pearled. |
| to one side of the fire and take all the scum off; let it | | | | To the degree called "Blown." |
| continue to simmer. Keep adding a little water to make | | | | After you have ascertained that the sugar is boiled to |
| the remaining part of the scum rise. By this time the | | | | the degree called pearled put in the skimmer and let it |
| scum will be very white and tough, which also take off | | | | boil a few minutes, then shake it out of the sugar and |
| if the sugar appear clear. Dip in your finger, and if a | | | | give it a blow. If sugar fly from the skimmer in small |
| drop hang from it, it is of the first degree, called | | | | bladders it is boiled to the degree called blown. |
| smooth, and may be put by for use. | | | | To the degree called "Feathered." |
| You may clarify a much smaller quantity of sugar by | | | | Continue to boil the sugar from blown for a short time |
| carefully attending to these instructions. | | | | longer; take out the skimmer and give it a jerk over the |
| Testing Sugar | | | | pan, then over your head, and if sugar fly out like |
| Granulated sugar is considered the best to use, as it is | | | | feathers it is boiled to the degree called feathered. |
| less liable to adulteration than any other kind. Of moist | | | | |