Medieval Food & Drink

In general, meals are taken 3 times a day. <Poland: Prandium 9-10 a.m., Coena 5-7 p.m.> What do they eat? → made by wheat, rye… (the more white flour, the more exalted the

position of the eater) → made by oats

Bread

Porridge

Cheese

Medieval Food

→ the most-consumed meat → → Being multipurpose (hens, ducks, geese) → regular → Wild game. Not common, but highly

esteemed and used as gifts or rewards.

Beef

Lamb

Poultry

Pork

Venison

Medieval Food

→ herring, salmon, eel, pike, perch…＊ Preservation: salting, pickling, smoking and drying

＊ The wealthier, the more often meat appears on the table

→ carrots, cabbages, onions… → apples, figs, grapes, plums, sloes → ginger, cinnamon, cloves mace

and pepper

Fish

Vegetables

Fruits

Spices

Medieval Drinks

→ Made by barley. The major drink in the Middle age.

England was the primary consumer of wine.

→ a sweet alcoholic drink made by honey. ＊ Banquets→ 1. consume tons of food2. impress the guests 3. A way of entertainment

Wine/Beer

Mead

Medieval Food & Drink

Diets between the rich and the poorThe rich: beef, pork, venison, fish, eggs,

less vegetables, beer… → their health suffered (scurvy 壞血病 ,

tooth decay, heart problems…)The poor: vegetables, dark breads,

porridges, cheese, occasional fish, beer, mead…

→ survive well