The Book of Household Management by Mrs. Beeton

559. FOR BOILING MEAT, the softer the water is, the better. When spring

water is boiled, the chalk which gives to it the quality of hardness, is precipitated. This chalk stains the meat, and communicates to it an unpleasant earthy taste. When nothing but hard water can be procured, it should be softened by boiling it for an hour or two before it is used for culinary purposes.