Skip to main content
Chaptra

The AI reading companion for people who take books seriously

AI insights, chapter breakdowns, community discussions — all in one place.

Join free
Book0 • 300+ pages • 5+ hours reading time

A queens delight : $b or, The art of preserving, conserving and candying. As also, a right knowledge of making perfumes, and distilling the most excellent waters.

3.8/5
161 readers on Chaptra have this book

About this book

"A Queen's Delight: or, The Art of Preserving, Conserving and Candying" is a collection of historical recipes and techniques for food preservation, likely written in the late 17th century. This guide presents a plethora of methods for preserving fruits, making candies, and distilling various sweet waters and perfumes. The text serves as a comprehensive resource for anyone interested in the culinary arts of preserving and flavoring foods, showcasing the practices of the era. At the start of the book, readers are introduced to various recipes that illustrate methods for preserving fruits such as plums, grapes, and quinces, alongside instructions for making syrups, conserves, and candies. The detailed directions guide the reader on how to prepare and cook each fruit, emphasizing the importance of measuring sugar and maintaining the right cooking temperatures. There are also mentions of making perfumes and sweet waters, hinting at a broader interest in culinary delights beyond simple preservation. The opening sets the stage for a work rich in historical gastronomy, aimed at those looking to explore or revive these traditional practices.
Language
English
Publisher
Project Gutenberg
Release date
Unknown
Downloads
185

Explore Medicine, Popular Books

Discover more Medicine, Popular literature
Cover of A queens delight : $b or, The art of preserving, conserving and candying. As also, a right knowledge of making perfumes, and distilling the most excellent waters.

Click "Read now" to open in our Reader with AI features.

Community Discussions

Join the conversation about this book

Discussions

0 discussions

Join

No discussions yet

Be the first to start a discussion about this book!

Sign up to start the discussion

AI-Powered Insights

A clearer way to understand A queens delight : $b or, The art of preserving, conserving and candying. As also, a right knowledge of making perfumes, and distilling the most excellent waters. through themes, characters, and key ideas

This reading guide highlights what stands out in A queens delight : $b or, The art of preserving, conserving and candying. As also, a right knowledge of making perfumes, and distilling the most excellent waters. through 3 core themes, 1 character profile. It is meant to help readers decide whether the book fits their taste and deepen the reading once they begin.

AI Reading GuidePreview

About this book

A quick AI guide to “A queens delight : $b or, The art of preserving, conserving and candying. As also, a right knowledge of making perfumes, and distilling the most excellent waters.

Get the shape of the book before you commit: what it is about, what mood it carries, and what ideas readers tend to stay with afterward.

~8h readintermediateinstructivehistoricalpractical

What the book is doing

A Queen's Delight is a meticulously detailed 17th-century culinary and domestic manual, offering a comprehensive collection of recipes for preserving, conserving, and candying various fruits, alongside instructions for distilling perfumes and 'sweet waters.' More than just a cookbook, it serves as a historical window into the sophisticated domestic arts of the era, emphasizing self-sufficiency, resourcefulness, and the pursuit of sensory pleasure. The text guides the reader through intricate processes, from preparing raw ingredients to achieving specific textures and flavors, reflecting the high value placed on food preservation and aromatic concoctions in early modern households. It is an invaluable primary source for understanding historical gastronomy and the role of the mistress of the house.

Key Themes

Preservation and Self-Sufficiency

This is the foundational theme, directly addressed by the bulk of the book's content. In an era predating modern refrigeration, the ability to preserve seasonal produce was critical for year-round sustenance, dietary variety, and economic stability. The detailed instructions for candying, conserving, and drying fruits underscore the necessity and sophistication of these techniques, empowering households to manage their own food supply and reduce reliance on external markets.

Domestic Economy and Resourcefulness

The book implicitly emphasizes the importance of efficient household management. By providing detailed instructions for transforming raw ingredients into valuable, long-lasting products, 'A Queen's Delight' equips the mistress of the house with the skills to optimize resources, minimize waste, and contribute significantly to the family's economic well-being. It reflects an era where domestic skill was directly linked to a household's prosperity and reputation.

A line worth noting
To preserve Plums white, or red, after the French fashion.
A good discussion starter

How does 'A Queen's Delight' reflect the societal roles and expectations for women in the late 17th century?

Unlock the full reading guide

See chapter-by-chapter takeaways, deeper character arcs, and a fuller literary analysis built around this book.

Unlock full AI analysis for “A queens delight : $b or, The art of preserving, conserving and candying. As also, a right knowledge of making perfumes, and distilling the most excellent waters.

Chapter breakdowns, character deep-dives, and thematic analysis — all in one place.

Reader Reviews

See what others are saying

Reviews

Overall Rating

3.8
1215 ratings

Based on community ratings

No reviews yet

Be the first to review this book!

Readers Also Enjoyed

Discover more books similar to A queens delight : $b or, The art of preserving, conserving and candying. As also, a right knowledge of making perfumes, and distilling the most excellent waters.