SC - islinglass crystals!? Am I thinking of the wrong thing?

[Arabella de Montacute]

>That particular islinglass is known as muscovite mica, used in oven 
>doors and
>such in the "Good Ole Days". It's a clear mineral found in areas where 
>there
>was volcanic activity, like here in the Blue Ridge... the other 
>isinglass
>probably influnced the first one's name or visa-versa as in the 
>current/rasin
>debate.
>
>Corwyn

If it is a mineral - that could be possible, I guess, it's a pretty soft 
mineral.  I went to look it up in one of my college geology textbooks:

Henry Holt guide to Minerals and Fossils by Bishop

"Mica group - There are two groups of Micas: dark mica rich in Fe and 
Mg: and white mica which is rich in aluminum.  In addition there is a 
series of lithium micas.

Muscovite - ( it lists chemical composition here, I'll save you) 
Chrystal system - Monoclinic : puedo-hexagonal. Habit - Chrystals 
tabular and hexagonal in outline; also as foliated masses and as 
disseminated flakes...... Hardness in Mos'hardness scale - 2 1/2  - 3 
(meaning you can scratch it off with your fingernails) Cleavage - Basal, 
perfect.  Cleavage flakes flexible and elactic.  Color and transparancy 
- - Colorless to pale grey, green or brown: transparant to translucent.  
(I'll save ya'll from the rest, terminology for students of geology, 
unless you've taken a geology class you probably haven't heard these 
terms) 

If that is what inslinglass is, then why would they use a rock or 
mineral in their food?  If I remember correctly this debate began when 
somone asked what it was and maybe why it was in ingredient in their 
recipe?  If I remember correctly, it's been a few years ago, a Mica 
doesn't have a chemical reaction to a specific liquid like a few other 
minerals do.  And it has no taste like the mineral Halite(Rock Salt).  
So why add it to food????  

Just my two cents worth - Arabella

>=====================================================================
>The isinglass that I am familiar with is the lining of fish swim 
>bladders, which is used as 1) a period thickening agent and 2) a fining 
>for fermented beverages that helps precipitate spent yeasties.  Rather 
>nasty to think about, but very effective for both.
>
>fra niccolo


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