Recipe from Nostradamus: how to make magic jam

Michel de Nostradam, better known as Nostradamus, is a 16th-century French scientist, astrologer and prophet. In the book "Prophecies" (Les Propheties), published in 1555, he set forth foresight for centuries to come. He did everything so poetic and mysterious that many generations try to decipher what he had in mind.

According to those who believe, Nostradamus successfully predicted the French Revolution, world wars, the election of Donald Trump as president, and the rule of Vladimir Putin.

But Nostradamus had another magical ability, about which a little less is known. He knew how to cook fabulous jellies and jams.

In 1552, he published Le Traité des Fardements et des Confitures, a treatise on the finest recipes for making jam and beauty products. Among them was even advice on how to cook aphrodisiacs.

The book did not appear by chance. In addition to writing predictions, Nostradamus was a pharmacist. He combined a passion for herbs and pharmaceuticals, invented and wrote down prescriptions for drugs. They say that because of this he was even kicked out of the university. They found out that he was engaged in pharmaceutical business, and the professors did not support this low passion. Pharmacists were considered merchants. Be that as it may, Nostradamus returned to Europe as a sought-after specialist and a famous plague fighter.

Nostradamus

No matter how strange it may seem, but his favorite cure for the plague can be found in the treatise on the preparation of jam. Many medieval books included not only recipes for making sweets and food, but also tips on how to take care of yourself and how to treat yourself.

In addition, sugar was so rare and valuable that it was often considered as a medicine. Particularly curious is the recommendation found in The Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets. This work recommended the use of sugar "to warm the body, as well as an effective laxative." During the time of Nostradamus, the sale of sugar was controlled by pharmacists. Unfortunately, neither his sweets, nor his medicines could save his wife and two children from the plague.

Some of the Nostradamus recipes collected in the treatise may seem poisonous. Cosmetic procedures require the use of hazardous ingredients such as alkali to lighten the hair and a crushed crystal for brushing your teeth. In order to make the beard softer and blacker, Nostradamus recommends using soap mixed with ash and walnut juice.

In addition, the book contains some special recipes. Such as a jelly-like love potion that includes the blood of seven sparrows, cinnamon and mandrake apples. The syrup obtained by boiling and filtering the mixture, according to Nostradamus, should be stored in a gold or silver container. One spoonful of the substance causes a fiery passion, which can be fatal if it does not receive reciprocity. This recipe, as Nostradamus writes, was invented by Medea, the famous ancient Greek sorceress and lover of the argonaut Jason.

Other recipes are easier to make and edible. In his book, Nostradamus praises sugar not only for its medicinal properties, but also for its ability to preserve fresh fruits. Many of his tips are reminiscent of modern methods for making jam and jelly.

The Morello Cherry Jelly recipe includes berries that are made so that they are soft enough to take out the bones and peels, and then mix with sugar.

If a drop of jelly on a plate does not spread, Nostradamus writes, then it is ready for storage.

At that time, sugar was fabulously expensive. This is probably why Nostradamus writes that some of his sweet potions are only for nobles or kings.

Consider his quince jelly recipe. Nostradamus recommends not peeling quinces before cooking: the peel, he writes, enhances the taste of jelly. After boiling and adding sugar, the end result is a ruby color and "suitable for serving on the royal table."

Nostradamus wrote not only about making jam and jelly. He recommended the recipe for canned pumpkin as an antipyretic. He prepared jams of lemons, ginger, and any Provence fruit available to him. Almonds, Italian pine nuts, spices sugared in syrup. All this was put on the table as a dessert.

Ginger love jam from Nostradamus

You need to take a piece of ginger (about 100 grams), free it from the skin. And to do it carefully - in the upper layer there are most of all useful elements. Then chop the root with small plates and put on fire for 10 minutes. After cooking, pour water and do the same two more times. Then put the ginger to dry until morning. The next day, in a saucepan, pour it with honey and cook for a quarter of an hour over low heat. So repeat three days.

Nostradamus advised eating this jam every day for a teaspoon to increase mood and interest in life.