Poudre Douce (Sweet Powder)

Original

"Prenez gingembre blanc une once et une drachme, canelle triée un quarteron, giroffle et graine chascun demi quart d'once, et de succre en pierre un quarteron et faictes pouldre"

Translation

"Take white ginger one ounce and one drachma, hand-picked cinnamon a quarter-ounce, cloves and grains [of paradise] each half a quarter-ounce, and rock sugar a quarter-ounce, and make into powder"

Original Measurements:

• 1 ounce + 1 drachma (1⅛ oz) white ginger
• ¼ ounce hand-picked cinnamon
• ⅛ ounce grains of paradise
• ⅛ ounce cloves
• ¼ ounce rock sugar

My Redaction

Practical Modern Measurements:

• 3 tablespoons ground ginger
• 2 tablespoons fine sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (Ceylon preferred)
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon grains of paradise (or substitute black pepper with a pinch of cardamom)

Optional additions found in other period sources:

• Nutmeg
• Mace
• Galangal

A finishing spice, often sprinkled on dishes just before serving ("cast thereon powder douce" appears throughout The Forme of Cury). Delicious on roasted root vegetables, baked apples or pears, custards or rice pudding, mixed into honey for a medieval sweetmeat, or added to mulled wine or cider.