Compôte of Barberries for Dessert

Instructions

1. When this fruit is first ripe it requires, from its excessive acidity, nearly its weight of sugar to render it palatable; but after hanging some time upon the trees it becomes much mellowed in flavour, and may be sufficiently sweetened with a smaller proportion.
2. According to the state of the fruit then, take for each pound (leaving it in bunches) from twelve to sixteen ounces of sugar, and boil it with three-quarters of a pint of water until it forms a syrup.
3. Throw in the bunches of fruit, and simmer them for five or six minutes.
4. If their weight of sugar be used, they will become in that time perfectly transparent.
5. As all vessels of tin affect the colour of the barberries, they should be boiled in a copper stewpan, or in a German enamelled one, which would be far better.
6. Proportions: Barberries, 1 lb.; sugar, 12 to 16 oz.; water, 3/4 pint; fruit simmered in syrup, 5 to 6 minutes.