اسفيداج

Ingredients

الرصاص, زنجية, الملحفة, الماء

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

To produce White Lead (اسفيداج), lead (الرصاص) is placed in layers on a cloth (ملحفة). Each layer of lead is covered with 'zinjiyya' (grape dregs or vinegar residue) both above and below. The stack is left in this state until the lead corrodes and turns white. The white material is then moved to a large jar (خابية), where water is added. It is beaten/mixed until it reaches a smooth consistency similar to milk (p. 168).

Evidence

"تأخذ الرصاص تتركه في صفة . ثم تمد ملحفة تحته وتصفه عليها راقاً على كل راق من فوقه وأسفله زنجية . وبين الراق والراق غطاء من الملحفة . ثم تتركه على هذه الحال . فإذا ابيض نقلته إلى خابية أو دن . ثم تصب عليه الماء وتضربه حتى يستقيم ويصير مثل اللبن"

Remarks

The term 'zinjiyya' is noted by the editor as refers to 'Raq al-'Inab' (grape dregs), which provides the acetic acid necessary for the carbonation of the lead. The recipe highlights the transformation of the metal into a white, suspension-like state (p. 168).