It follows from the above that beverages are conveniently divided into two great classes, the bases of which depend upon the point of view of the utility of the article consumed. Such products as milk, sweet cider, fruit juices, extracts containing food properties, and similar condimentals, serve as foods; while at the same time they may be condimental, in other words, appealing to the taste. On the contrary, things which are consumed in a liquid state which have little or no food value, belong to the purely condimental class of beverages. As types of these bodies there may be mentioned tea, coffee, ginger ale, mineral waters, potable waters, and others of similar character.

A sub-division may also be made of those beverages which contain toxic properties, either natural or added. Among these in the first rank are all alcoholic beverages, especially distilled. In addition to these, coffee and tea as well as wine and beer may be classed in this sub-division because of the toxic alcohol or caffein which they contain. Among soft drinks, those to which caffein or cocaine or other deleterious substances have been added would be included in the sub-classification.