iron-polyphenol complex

Ingredients

gallnuts, water, gum, vitriol

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

QI.3. Another midād: Take one ūqiyya [33.105 g] of gallnuts and grind them as described; immerse them in one raṭl [397.26 mL] of water and cook it until one-third has evaporated, then let it cool and clarify; add to it two ūqiyya [66.21 g] of dissolved gum and vitriol in the amount to make a satisfying colour; the method for adding the vitriol consists in immersing it in clear water and slamming it vigorously with the hand, then leave it to rest until it settles and then use its clarified part which is the best on parchment. (p. 8). For reproduction, 13.2 g of ground galls and 160 mL water were cooked at 100 °C until 1/3 evaporated. (p. 11).

Evidence

"QI.3. Another midād: Take one ūqiyya [33.105 g] of gallnuts and grind them as described; immerse them in one raṭl [397.26 mL] of water and cook it until one-third has evaporated, then let it cool and clarify; add to it two ūqiyya [66.21 g] of dissolved gum and vitriol in the amount to make a satisfying colour"

Remarks

Specific mention that this ink is 'the best on parchment' (p. 8). Experimental versions QI.3Vs1, Vs2, and Vs3 varied the iron sulfate and gum concentrations to observe changes in final pH and color (p. 5, 11).