The Nature of the drink Kauhi, or Coffe (1659)
The Nature of the drink Kauhi, or Coffe (1659)
-- Digital version: Janet Clarkson (Australia), Thomas Gloning (Germany), 16.7.2003
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<<A1a>>
The
Nature of the drink
Kauhi, or Coffe,
and the Berry of which
it is made,
Described by an Arabian
Phisitian.
OXFORD,
Printed by Henry Hall, in the yeare
of our Lord, 1659.
<<A1a>>
BUN is a plant in Yaman,
which is planted in Adar,
and groweth up and is
gathered in Ab. It is
about a cubit high, on a
stalk about the thicknesse
of ones thumb. It flowres white,
leaving a berry like a small nut, but
that sometimes is broad like a bean;
and when it is peeled, parteth in two.
The best of it is that which is weighty
and yellow; the worst, that which is
black. It is hot in the first degree,
dry in the second: it is usually reported
to be cold and dry, but it is not so; for
it is bitter, and whatsoever is bitter is
hot. It may be that the scorce is hot,
and the Bun is selfe either of equall
temperature, or cold in the first degree.
<<A3a>>
That which makes for its coldnsse [>coldnesse] is its
stipticknesse. In summe it is by experience
found to conduce to the drying of
rheumes, and flegmatick coughes and
distillations, and the opening of obstructions,
and the provocation of urin. It is
now known by the name of Kohwah.
When it is dried and throughly boyled,
it allayes the ebullition of the blood,
is good against the small poxe and measles,
and bloudy pimples; yet causeth
vertiginous headheach, and maketh lean
much, occasioneth waking, and the Emrods,
and asswageth lust, and sometimes
breeds melancholly. He that would drink
it for livelinesse sake, and to discusse
slothfulnesse, and the other properties that
we have mentioned, let him use much
sweet meates with it, and oyle of pistaccioes,
and butter. Some drink it with
milk, but it is an error, and such as may
bring in danger of the leprosy.
FINIS.
16.7.2003