iven under heading of "Tea." A resulting blue color will
indicate the presence of starch.

=COCOA AND CHOCOLATE.=--The adulterants of these substances are
generally harmless, as they usually consist of flavoring extracts,
sugar, starch, flour, and animal fats. No tests other than flavor,
consistency, and smoothness need be considered. Good cocoa and
chocolate should be slightly bitter, with a pleasant characteristic
odor and taste; they should have a smooth, even consistency and be
free from grit or harsh particles.

=CANNED AND BOTTLED VEGETABLES AND FRUITS.=--In general, acid
substances, such as tomatoes and fruits, should not be canned in tin,
as the action of the acid tends to dissolve the tin. It is better,
therefore, to purchase these articles in glass.

After opening the can the odor and appearance of the contents should
be noted. The odor should be clean and fresh, and the slightest trace
of any sour, musty, or disagreeable smell should cause the rejection
of the food. The appearance should be clean, with no mold; the
consistency and color of the fruit or vegetables should be uniform
throughout. If the color is brighter than that of a similar article
when canned at home, the presence of artificial coloring matter must
be suspected. The brilliant green of some brands of peas, beans, or
Brussels sprouts is produced by the addition of the salts of copper.
This may be proved by leaving the blade of a penknife in the contents
of the can for a short time; if copper is present it will be deposited
on, and discolor, the blade.

Brightly colored fruits should excite suspicion; this same dictum
applies to all brightly colored jams and jellies, as the colors are
usually produced by the addition of carmine or aniline red.

The presence of preservatives, salicylic and boric acids, the
benzoates, etc., can only be proved by delicate chemical tests.

=SUGAR.=--Pure granulated or powdered sugar is white and clean. The
presence of glucose should be suspected in sugar sold below the market
price; it is perfectly harmless, but has a sweetening power of only
about two-thirds that of sugar and is added on account of its
cheapness and to increase the bulk.

If sand, dirt, or flour are present they may be detected by
observation, or by washing the suspected sample in water; flour will
not dissolve, sand will sink, and dirt will discolor the water.

=SPICES.=--Spices should be bought whole and ground in a spice mill as