العفص المدقوق بالزاج

Ingredients

العفص, الزاج, ماء العفص, ماء الزاج الأبيض

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

The text lists 'العفص المدقوق بالزاج' (crushed gallnuts with vitriol) as a primary writing material (p. 190). It distinguishes between 'ماء العفص' (gallnut water) and 'ماء الزاج الأبيض' (white vitriol water) (p. 190), indicating a process of preparing aqueous extracts of tannins and metal sulfates to be mixed for the production of black iron-gall ink. The use of 'الزاج الأبيض' (white vitriol, likely zinc sulfate) suggests variations in the metallic salts used.

Evidence

"العفص المدقوق بالزاج - ١٥١"

Remarks

This entry refers to the index of writing materials in a classical treatise on the art of the secretary (Kitaba). The inclusion of vitriol and gallnuts confirms the prevalence of iron-gall ink alongside carbon-based inks. The mention of 'white vitriol' is chemically significant as it often appears in later medieval recipes alongside the more common green vitriol (iron sulfate).