What did people eat in the Middle Ages?
In today's video, we explore the foods and drinks that characterized the medieval diet. First, we must emphasize that medieval culinary traditions are inextricably linked to religion: Christianity and Islam profoundly influenced medieval nutrition.
The Arabs, often also called Moors, Ottomans, or Turks, brought countless foods from Asia and Africa to Europe, acting as a bridge between the diverse culinary cultures of the various continents. The Arabs brought with them spices—prunes, melons, dates, and saffron—and also brought another great culinary specialty to Europe: dried pasta. The Turks favored sweet cuisine, featuring prominently almonds, pistachios, and honey, as well as unique flavors like rhubarb and ginger.
Arab influence aside, Europe continues to eat the same foods as in previous centuries. You can find some examples in the videos in the playlist below:
👉 • Storia in Tavola 🍴
The poor continued to eat primarily bread, soup, and plenty of vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables, broad beans, turnips, and onions. Olives and walnuts were also widely consumed.
Meat was expensive and therefore predominantly found on the tables of the rich and noble. The most common types of meat were pork and chicken, while beef, which required more land for breeding, was less common. Cattle were used to produce milk and, consequently, cheese, a central food in the Middle Ages.
It was also during this historical period that the foundations of French and Italian cuisine were laid, and the custom of enjoying an aperitif before the main meal and preparing a sweet dessert to finish it became popular. In the late Middle Ages, the preparation of desserts became increasingly complex, and it was also during this period that the first hostels and inns for travelers emerged, which, in the following centuries, would evolve into modern hotels with restaurants.
Also at the end of the Middle Ages, we witness a historical event that, historically, represents the very end of this historical era: the discovery of America. The discovery and colonization of America brought many new products to European tables, which became essential for Europeans: potatoes, beans, quinoa, corn, tomatoes, and chocolate arrived from the American continent. Sugarcane was then imported from Santo Domingo, destined to make European meals increasingly sweet. From the colonization of Africa and Asia came coffee and tea, beverages destined to become the favorites of the wealthy.
If you enjoyed this video, please LIKE and subscribe to the channel so you don't miss future content 👍
OTHER RECOMMENDED VIDEOS:
• 7 FUNGHI ALLUCINOGENI che puoi trovare in ...
• Imparare a imparare: ecco la scienza della...
You can follow me on the social media channels below to learn more and stay updated on new content:
/ doc.franzonimarco
/ franzoni.marco98
Where you can find me: https://linktr.ee/MarcoFranzoni 👈
Sources:
Cibo by Jacques Attali, 2020, Ponte alle Thank you
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieva...
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locanda
https://hls-dhs-dss.ch/it/articles/01...
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
https:/ /commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23993867
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index... 7492154
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/ index.php?curid=79528206
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
Chapters:
00:00 | Two religions radically change European culinary traditions
04:18 | The basis of nutrition is the same as in the past
05:41 | Fruits and vegetables begin to be cooked
06:46 | In the Middle Ages, people didn't eat much meat
08:08 | Cheese becomes a central food in the diet
08:32 | Oils and fats
09:05 | Medieval Drinks: Wine Remains the Undisputed King
10:15 AM | How and When Did People Eat?
1:46 PM | The Origins of French and Italian Cuisine
2:25 PM | The Colonization of America, Africa, and Asia Upends Eating Habits
What Did People Eat in the Middle Ages? | History at the Table Episode 7 | Marco Franzoni