Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease 6-muffin pans. Sift together the rye flour and baking powder, sugar and salt. Add the water and oil and stir in just until mixed, but still lumpy. Divide the batter among the muffin cups.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until the muffins come away from the edges of the pans.
Boil raisins, sugar, water, or brewed coffee, salt and shortening together for 5 minutes. Cool and then add dry ingredients which have been sifted together 3 times. Bake in two loaf pans or 1 tube pan at 275 degrees F for one hour and 15 minutes to 1 1/2 hours.
