Egyptian Food
Egyptian Food
Egyptian Food and Drink varied according to status and wealth.
The wealthy Ancient Egyptians had a more varied diet which included meat
whereas the diet of poor Egyptians was quite healthy, consisting mainly
of bread, fruit, fish, beer and vegetables such as onions. The Ancient
Egyptians dined at low tables and ate with their fingers. Food was
generally served on earthenware dishes but the wealthy Ancient Egyptians
were served their food on dishes made of:
-
Gold
-
Silver
-
Bronze
-
Faience
(Faience was a strong greenish blue glass-like material,
consisting of crushed quartz, lime and alkali, which first
made in Predynastic Egypt)
Egyptian Food
- Meat and Poultry
Only the Wealthy Egyptians ate meat. Meat was expensive because Egypt
had limited land for grazing as it was needed for growing crops.
The meat and poultry which was eaten by the Ancient Egyptians included
the following:
Egyptian Food -
Fish
The fish which was eaten by the Ancient Egyptians included the
following:
-
Catfish
-
Tuna
-
Mullet
-
Perch
-
Carp
Egyptian Food -
Bread
The bread which was eaten by the Ancient Egyptians was the mainstay of
every diet. Grain was the most important crop from wheat and barley
which enabled the Egyptians to produce both bread and beer. The grain
was stored in massive granaries which were often attached to the royal
palaces and temples. The Ancient Egyptians Different types of bread
included the following:
-
A flat loaf
(similar to pitta bread)
-
Bread made in
moulds producing a variety of different shapes and sizes
-
Luxury Bread
flavored with honey, nuts and dates
-
Pastries and
cakes were also a luxury food for the rich
-
Half baked
loaves of Barley Bread were also used to make beer
The bread produced by the
Ancient Egyptians was often tough, gritty and coarse, due to the grinding
methods where minute particles of sand and grit were left in the flour. Over the
years the continuous consumption of bread wore down the teeth which were
reduced to stumps.
Egyptian Food -
Dairy Products
The dairy products which were eaten by the Ancient Egyptians included
the following:
-
Milk
-
Butter
-
Eggs
-
Cheese
-
Curds
Egyptian Food -
Vegetables
The vegetables which were eaten by the Ancient Egyptians included the
following:
-
Radishes
-
Garlic
-
Onions
-
Lettuce
-
Celery
-
Cucumbers
-
Leeks
-
Pulses such as
beans, peas, chick peas ns lentils
-
Sesame seeds,
linseed and olive oil
Seasonings included salt,
aniseed, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, dill, fennel, fenugreek, marjoram,
mustard and thyme.
Egyptian Food -
Fruit
The fruit which were eaten by the Ancient Egyptians included the
following:
The Ancient Egyptians did
not have sugar. Honey was used to sweeten food and the poor used fruit
juices and dates.
Ancient Egyptian Food
Preservation
Ancient Egyptian Food preservation methods included salting and drying
food.
Egyptian Food
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