Strange Ink

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

Take four *ratls* of clear water and place it in a pot. Take four *uqiyyahs* of Gum Arabic and four *uqiyyahs* of gallnuts and the same of *adbah*. Grind each one separately, then throw the gallnuts and *adbah* into the water and cook them until half or one-third remains. If it becomes half, throw the gum and one and a half *uqiyyahs* of ground vitriol into it. If it boils once or twice, remove it and let it settle. Clarify it and store it, for it is the best ink. If you do not write with it, crush gallnuts and soak them in water for three days, then take their clarified liquid and add it to it.