Food eaten by people in ancient Egypt had similarities between not just Africa but west Asia as well. Egyptians got most of their calories from wheat, barley, and olive oil. The Egyptian food chart comprised lots of different foods and believed in eating well. Even the poorest people during this time enjoyed a healthy diet comprised of fruits and vegetables. The rich enjoyed eating lamb and beef. Pork wasn’t eaten because it was associated with an evil god. Meat was limited to the tables of the rich as it was much more expensive to buy. Salting of fishes and ducks was common in order to preserve them for a long time.
Staple Foods Of Ancient Egypt
The staple food during ancient Egyptian era was bread and beer supplemented by vegetables, onions and dried fish. Meat was limited to the rich but even workers got a chance to eat meat on special occasions.
Bread And Baking
Bakers during this time made bread out of wheat and barley which was also used to make soups and porridge. Barley was also fermented to make beer. It’s believed that grain was actually grown in Egypt to make beer. Egyptian bread, however, was hard and rough because while grinding the grain the sand from the grinder got mixed into the dough making it taste rough and sandy.
Most Popular Drinks
Drinks in ancient Egypt were an important part of meals. The rich indulged in wine drinking while others satiated themselves with beer. During parties the host’s home was called “the House of Beer.” Beer was made by partially baking loaves of barley followed by crumbling it into water and fermenting it. The beer was strained before drinking to avoid the lumps. Wine was prepared from grapes which were squeezed by stepping on them in big troughs. The mixture was then sealed in clay pots with dates just like the way it’s still done today.
What Did The Rich Eat?
Rich people in ancient Egypt ate a lot of meat! Other things included in the menu in many cases were waterfowls, vegetables, fruit, and wine. Bread was ubiquitous and was eaten in many different forms and it accompanied almost every meal.
More About Ancient Egyptian Food
People in Egypt also consumed African food. The oil used in some recipes was palm oil. The dessert usually had dates, figs, and honey. Also, seeds have been found which show that the Egyptians grew watermelons and other kinds of melons. Cooking was most commonly done in clay ovens as well as over open fires. Wood was burnt as fuel, and sometimes charcoal. Food in ancient Egypt was baked, boiled, stewed, fried, grilled, or roasted depending on the food type. Honey and syrup made from unfermented grape juice were mostly used as a sweetening agent for making sweet dishes during the time. The kitchen in ancient Egypt was most commonly located at the corner of the courtyard or on flat roofs and it was well ventilated and lightly roofed.
