Ancient Egyptians were great lovers of plentiful food and drink. Tomb and temple reliefs show offering tables piled high with food, and tomb scenes depict stages of food preparation. Feasting and picnicking was an intrinsic part of ancient (and modern) Egyptian culture, and great varieties of foodstuffs were used as picnic fodder. Picnics were sometimes held on boats on the river, which you can do aboard a felucca.
Two ancient Egyptian staples were bread and beer, augmented by vegetables such as onions, squashes, cucumbers, and lettuce. Garlic and legumes, such as mulukhaia (lentils) and chickpeas, made up a large part of the diet of rich and poor alike. Cheese and yogurt were also eaten. Wealthier people, of course, were able to afford more varied diets.
The Egyptians ate domesticated animals, fished, and hunted animals and birds. The main domesticates were sheep, goats, cattle, and pigs. The hunted animals, which were often captured live and fattened up before slaughter, were antelopes, gazelles, and, particularly in the Old Kingdom, hyenas. Geese, ducks, pigeons, and other fowl were hunted or bred, and fish were caught from the Nile. Mullet roe was processed and eaten with pleasure; in fact, this roe, known as Egyptian caviar, has graced many gourmands' tables in the 20th century. Meats were generally grilled or stewed, or in some cases, salted and preserved for leaner times.
The Egyptians had more than 30 kinds of bread, including dessert breads. Fruit such as dates, dom nuts, grapes, pomegranates, cactus figs, and nabk berries were common. Fruit was fermented and used to make wine-date wine, pomegranate wine, grape wine, and palm wine (made from the sap of palm trees).
Tomb scenes often show Egyptians reveling at elaborate gatherings. Guests were greeted by their hosts, given scented flower garlands, and shown to a seat....
[More]
Tags:
ancient egypt, die, live
Posted at: 09:53 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
| 
| 
del.icio.us
