The 1901 Cookbook Archive
No. 3600 — Making Hempseed Oil Resemble Olive Oil
English historical translation of Molokhovets recipe No. 3600 from the 1901 Russian cookbook, retaining original methods and measures.
Take a quarter-sized bottle of the freshest hempseed oil, add a handful of ordinary yellow peas and a crumbled slice of dark rye bread, shake and cover the opening with muslin rather than a cork.
The author leaves it for two to eight weeks so the hemp aroma dissipates. Black, tar-like sediment forms at the bottom, and the clear oil is carefully poured off.
The source claims that the clarified oil resembles fine Provençal (olive) oil in colour and has no offensive odour.
Historical editorial note: Leaving oil with bread and peas for weeks may cause contamination or spoilage; visual clarity is not proof of food safety.
Original source: Read Russian recipe No. 3600. Historical quantities and terminology are retained. See the measurements guide. Period preparation and storage methods are not modern safety guidance.