Orchid-Root Drink

This is a hot milk drink, delicately flavoured and thickened with finely ground orchid root. It is popular in the winter, and remarkably soothing for sore throats and tickly coughs. Traditionally, milk and sugar are simmered with a small amount of orchid root in a large copper urn until the mixture thickens. But orchid root is expensive, and an instant salep mix is now available.