SC - Ambergris?

[Laura C Minnick]

On Sat, 24 Apr 1999, Meliora & Drake wrote:

> I have been reading a few late period marmalades and preserves recipes
> that call for the use of a few grains of ambergris.
> Now I know that ambergris comes from a whale and is therefore not
> readily available - but what is its function in these recipes and what
> do you guys use as a substitute?

The stuff comes from the whale as a waxy secretion, and is found floating
or washed up on beaches. Before it is cleaned up it is kinda gross, but
once washed and filtered, is smooth, off-white to light gray, and with a
deep scent similar to muck but somewhat sweeter. (I love the stuff myself,
for perfume.) Occasionally it is found in fossilized chunks, and since
your recipe calls for grains, I would suspect the fossilized stuff is what
you want. I would suggest checking out an Asian pharmacy, a perfumerie or
someplace that carries a lot of incense. Sometimes they carry it with
frankincense and myhrr.

'Lainie
- -
Laura C. Minnick
University of Oregon
Department of English
- -
"Libraries have been the death of many great men, particularly the
Bodleian."
	Humfrey Wanley, c. 1731




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