Ever wonder what Medieval Times Food tasted like?
Perhaps it probably feels ancient whenever you hear about Middle Ages, and it is hard not to think about grand castles and majestic knights.
The Medieval Times took place during the fifth to the fifteenth century. It was usually called as the Dark Ages because it lacked cultural and scientific development. Also, famine and diseases were common back in the day.
And just so you know, food was costly, so the poor only ate simple and basic food like bread and peas. The lower class ate grains such as rye, barley, and oats.
After all, the Medieval period was all about royalty and living lavish lifestyles. That’s why they all enjoyed over-the-top meals.
Most Common Medieval Times Food That You Have To Know
So, what are the common medieval times food? In this video, let us go back in time and learn more about what they ate during the Medieval Times. Without further ado, let’s get started.
1. Umble Pie
In Medieval Times, nothing went to waste, even if there were no freezers or refrigerators that most of us have today.
The Umble or Humble pie is also the term for many pastries based on the meat pies of Medieval Times. The expression was derived from umble pie filled with minced or chopped offal, especially deer, but usually other meats.
2. Swan
Another common Medieval Times food is swans.
Like beautiful and majestic birds, rich people usually eat swans during Medieval Times. There was a cooking method, that involved boiling of the swan, shredding the internal organs, and mix them with bread, ginger, or blood.
Another cooking method is roasting and removing the skin. It’s when the swan’s cooking was done, the skin and feathers were re-attached before it could be served. This will make the swan look alive and impress the guests.
3. Roasted Cat
If we don’t eat cats these days, the Medieval and Early Modern periods had a recipe called “Roast Cat as You Wish to Eat It.”
Before, cats were associated with witchcraft and vanity and were sometimes burned as devil symbols. Along with this, other forms are used in killing and torturing animals.
And yeah, the cat recipe was suggested to use the plump and chubby cats for the dish. They do this by decapitating the skin and burying the cat. After one day, they just dig the cat and roast it.
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4. Porpoise
Porpoises are smaller than dolphins. And yes, people in Medieval Times ate porpoises, one of the most common delicacies. Yet it seems unlikely that animals would be given such a nice burial if it had been served as a meal.
It was also known that porpoises were an exquisite food for royal feasts. The recipe comes from wheat, almond milk, and saffron soup.
5. Hedgehog
You won’t believe it, but one of the classic tastes of the Middle Ages is roasted Hedgehogs. Hedgehogs are not just kept as cute pets because, back in the Medieval Times, people would eat them.
Usually, the Hedgehog recipe would be stuffed with different herbs and baked in pastry. And regarding the taste, Hedgehogs were a great deal and exotic. It truly was a staple food of the Medieval Times.
6. Sheep’s Penis
We can all agree that the Medieval Times were a period of bizarre time in history. One of the interesting and common medieval times foods is sheep’s penis.
Yes, you heard that right. As I said, nothing would ever go to waste during the Medieval Times, and they ate sheep’s penis.
In preparing this food, the reproductive organ of the sheep is stuffed with egg yolks, fat, saffron, and lots of milk. It will be roasted and scattered with cinnamon, ginger, and a little ground pepper.
7. Beaver’s Tail
The Catholic Church mostly influenced most eating habits in England. It includes abstinence from eating the animal products such as dairy, meat, and eggs on days of the year.
Interestingly, the beaver’s tail was considered a fish as people see them swim. The beaver’s tail tasted like fish. That’s why it was allowed to eat on meatless days.
8. Whale
Hunting whales can be dangerous and scary these days, but back in the day, Whales are among the most common Medieval Times Food. During the days, salted whale flesh was a famous recipe.
While its meat can be a bit hard to digest, it was usually eaten by the lower orders. However, the whale recipe wasn’t thought worthy enough.
9. Lamprey
Did you know that a Lamprey is a terrifying fish that comes with a suction, like a cup face? It uses its mouth to suck the blood from larger fish.
In European countries, the Sea Lamprey has a long history as human food. They were eaten by Romans and were considered the food of the riches. Even if it looks like something from a science-fiction nightmare, the Lamprey was eaten as food during the Medieval Times.
Of course, it’s food often enjoyed on meatless days. And one fun fact about it is that King Henry I died from eating too much Lamprey.
In fact, in Medieval Europe, they attained such particular popularity as the meaty taste of fish that can be eaten during fasting.
10. Unborn Rabbits
Rabbits are pretty much terrible for medieval times food. It was known that newly born, and even unborn rabbits were eaten in the medieval period.
And even though rabbits are not considered meat, they were allowable to be eaten on the meatless days. It’s usually roasted, used in the pies, or eaten on stews.
11. Mock Egg
Because it was not allowed to eat eggs during meatless days, the chefs had a very creative idea for their recipes, which was to make mock eggs, that are called empty egg shells that are filled with almond milk jelly.
The egg comes with crunchy almonds that are dyed with ginger and saffron. Thanks to the saffron, the egg’s center looks yellow, like an egg yolk. This only goes to show that fake eggs were a thing back then.
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Wrapping Up
So, are you surprised to know the common Medieval Times food? Yes, some Medieval Times food is still eaten these days. The question is, are you going to eat it, even if you think it’s unbelievable? Hope this video helped you with your curiosity about what they ate during the Medieval Times.
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