FOOD AND BEVERAGES
Food
All people in ancient Rome, both the rich and the poor, lived on the staples of grains, olives and grapes. These foods are known as the Mediterranean triad. These staples were made into other foods such as bread, olive oil and wine. The Mediterranean triad provided carbohydrates, fats and proteins. If you were wealthy in ancient Rome more delicacies were available to eat. Beef, pork, lamb, chicken, fish, dormice and snails were forms of proteins available. The wealthy also used expensive spices from Asia in their cooking. These included cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg and cloves. Meals The majority of ancient Romans ate ientaculum (breakfast) early every morning. Ientaculum consisted of bread, eggs, cheese, honey, milk and fruit. The wealthy Romans would eat a quick snack in the early afternoon. This was called prandium. They ate the same food as in ientaculum, but also had meat, fish or vegetables. Cena (dinner) was the main meal of the day and was served in courses. The first course was often an egg or olives dish. The main course consisted of meat, fish and poultry, especially peacock and ostrich, which were very popular. Other exotic items such as sea urchins and raw oysters were also eaten. The final meal was generally sweet and included fruits, dates and nuts. The wealthy often held banquets that lasted for hours. They reclined on couches and enjoyed entertainment from slaves while they ate. Beverages The ancient Romans drank four main beverages. These were: ·Calda – Warm water and wine laced with spices. ·Mulsum – Honeyed wine. ·Posca – Vinegar mixed with water, to make it drinkable. ·Vinum – Wine. |