To the Editor of the Otago Witness

Otago Witness, Issue 420, 17 December 1859, Page 6

To the Editor of the Otago Witness

Sir — " Cheap and nasty " has become so generally accepted a proveib, that I almost fear to send the annexed receipt; but Ml venture, and I am confident that ere the harvest is gathered some wiU acknowledge wiih thankfulness that this is an exception to the rule.

BEEK FROM PKA SHELLS

" No production of the British Isles abounds so much with saccharine matter as the s>hells of gieen peas. A itrong decoction of them so much icsembles in odour and taste an infusion of malt (termed wort), as to decehe a brewer. This decoction, rendered slightly bitter with wood sige, and afterwards fermented with yeast, affords a very excellent beverage. The method employed is as follows :— Fill a boiler with the green shells of peas, pour on water till it rise-, hnlf-an-inch above the shells, and simmer for three hours. Strain off the liquor and add a strong decoction of wood sage, or the hop, so as to render it pleasantly bitter, then ferment in the usual way. The wood sage is the best substitute for hops, and being free from any anodyne property, is entitled to a preference. Yo that delight in strong drink, boil a fresh quantity of shells in the decoction before it becomes cold, and the result will be a liquor when feimented as strong as ale."

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