Sorry, should have said in my last message that the batter colouring CONTAINED saltpetre. ----- Original Message ----- From: "J langdell" <jlangdell@supanet.com> To: <eng-black-country@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 1:45 PM Subject: Re: [Black Country] Batter mix > Hello Pat, > > I'm pretty sure it was called saltpetre. My Mom used to use it as well. > It > was sold either in Boots the Chemist or Timothy, Whites & Taylor in > Dudley. > > It was discontinued because of health reasons. I suppose it was used as > it > would have been cheaper than using eggs. > > Regards > Jean > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <MOUSENGROUSE@aol.com> > To: <ENG-BLACK-COUNTRY-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Monday, December 19, 2011 7:10 PM > Subject: [Black Country] Batter mix > > >> Hi folks >> >> A few years ago ( a good many actually) my mother would mix some flour >> and >> water to make batter for fish or scallops. She used to colour it with >> batter colouring. >> >> Does anyone have any idea what was used as the colouring? As I recall, >> water was mxed with an orangey coloured powder which was obtained from >> the >> chemist at the bottom of News Street, at the junction with the High >> street, >> West Bromwich. >> >> I think the chemist was called Bell and Jones. >> >> For some reason, it was discontinued, I seem to think there was some sort >> of health risk attached to it. >> >> . >> Pat Allen (Leicestershire)