86 ANALYSIS AND ADULTERATIONS OF COFFEE. 



or investing membrane, presents a structure very different from 

 that of the substance of the berry itself, and when once seen it 

 cannot be confounded with any other tissue w T hich has yet been 

 observed entering into the adulteration of coffee; it is made up 

 principally of elongated and adherent cells, forming a single 

 la}^er, and having oblique markings upon their surfaces ; these 

 cells rest upon another thin membrane which presents an indis- 

 tinct fibrous structure." 



The seeds, improperly called berries, of Arabia or Mocha 

 coffee are small, of a dark yellow color ; those of Java and the 

 East Indies are larger, and of a paler yellow; while those of 

 the West Indies and Brazil possess a bluish or greenish- 

 gray tint. The dried fruits or berries are rarely imported; 

 occasionally the seeds contained in their endocarp or husks, 

 however, are met with in commerce. 



The practice of adulterating food originates with dishonest 

 men, who take this means of underselling their honest neigh- 

 bors in the same business ; and it is to the interest of all who 

 prize integrity and fair dealing, to lend their aid in suppress- 

 ing frauds which so generally affect the public health. Foreign 

 substances, such as we describe, are mixed with coffee to in- 

 crease the weight and bulk and reduce the cost, and every 

 pound is a direct damage to consumers, who fail to realize the 

 healthful effects of pure coffee. 



There are few articles of consumption which have been 

 subjected to more extensive adulteration than coffee. The 

 most prevalent adulteration is that of chiccory; and it has 

 frequently been urged in extenuation of the fraud that chiccory 

 improves the flavor of coffee ; but this opinion is not held by 

 most chemists. Persons who have had their taste vitiated 

 by using the two in combination, may even prefer it to pure 

 coffee ; but, as Dr. Hassall remarks, " had they the opportunity 

 of partaking of well-prepared and unadulterated coffee, they 



