Unusual Delicacies

We went to a small presentation on unusual delicacies. Below is a small showing:

Ancient Egyptians would eat strange things like hippos, ostrich and antelope. Onions were a sign of eternal life, often out in the dead's eyes.

Ancient Romans would eat flamingo tongues and ate in excess. The more food the more wealthy you would be thought to be. They also ate stuffed dormice. 🤢 They also used fermented fish sauce, Garum, in most dishes. They ate ostrich and peacock as well. Entertainment would also be presented. Men would recline where women were not allowed to. Guests ate with their hands while slaves served food. Eroticism humor was also enjoyed.

Medieval Europe was also similar to Romans where dishes were works of art with entertainment as well. Roast peacock was chosen for display more than taste. Subtleties would be used by bakeries to show off edible figures. A pound of nutmeg would cost more than a cow.

Middle Ages Etiquette would use spoons and knives but forks were rare so servants would cut the food. They would often share utensils. Food not eaten would be given to the poor or animals. Dishes would be designed for spectacle like a pie that released birds or frogs when cut open. Sing a Song of Sixpence.

Renaissance had food that reflected art. Tomatoes, maze and cocoa appeared. Professional chefs. They also had sugar sculptures taller than a man. Banquets could last several hours to days. A chef for Pope Pius (sp?) made a cookbook in 1570. Sugar dusted fried fish was introduced because sugar was expensive and showed wealth. Dining in the dark was a thing. Guests would be blindfolded or feast in candlelit rooms to showcase refinement. They were expected to eat the entire three course meal. Some Italian menus would list 30 courses.

18th century France would have meals that were indulgent with theater. Chocolate and coffee were in noble lands. The Ortolan was a tiny song bird that was eaten whole. They would cover the bird with a napkin because it would hold in the aroma and it was a sin to eat them. Since being banned, the last one eaten was by a president in 1995. Sweet followed savory and rich followed light food in multi course meals.

19th century came with turducken. Birds stuffed with other birds. Some had 17 birds.

The Victorian Era had as many as 20 courses with many exotic ingredients. Turtle soup with turtles from the Caribbean were introduced. Ice cream and molded desserts were prominent. Frogs legs marked refinement. Pineapple showed wealth. They would be rented. Curry became popular where perfumes and siap would have curry.

Modern day has food treated as art. Using science that transforms liquids into foam, among other techniques with gastronomy. Liquid nitrogen being introduced. Gold infused dishes like a steak costing $700 is a symbolism of wealth.もっと詳しく