COFFEE. 
81 
plants. These have been distributed to different 
parts of Italy; and he observes that no great degree 
of heat is necessary for their preservation, since, 
during the winter, a temperature of from thirteen to 
fifteen degrees of Reaumur’s thermometer (i. e. from 
about 6o to 66 of Fahrenheit) will be sufficient to 
preserve the plants alive. 
The inhabitants of the East are so fond of coffee, 
that with them it may be considered as the prin- 
cipal beverage. They are in the habit of taking 
three or four ounces in the course of the day, with- 
out either milk or sugar, but perfumed with cloves, 
cinnamon, cummin seeds, or essence of amber. 
The Persians roast their coffee with the capsule 
that covers the berries, and mix the whole together 
when they prepare their infusion ; and this they are 
persuaded is a better method than the common one 
of preparing it with the berries alone. The Turks 
occasionally make a decoction of the berries, before 
they are roasted, and drink it with a small quantity 
of sugar, in order to strengthen the stomach and 
promote an appetite. 
It may not be improper to remark, that good 
coffee should be small, perfectly dry, difficult to 
crush between the teeth, of a light yellowish colour, 
and of a strong but pleasant smell. It matters little 
whether the coffee be old or new, provided it has 
been gathered when perfectly ripe, and drunk soon 
after it is roasted. Much stress has been laid upon 
the superior excellence of the Mocha coffee, and, 
generally, we believe, with great justice ; but a 
VOL. in. G 
