Elizabethan Food and Drinks

Introduction

The subject of food and drinks is important during the Elizabethan era because what was consumed during this time period affects what English people eat today. From the number of dishes eaten to the ways in which food was served, everything was dictated by status. In the 16th century in England, you truly were what you ate.

Elizabethan Meals

The Elizabethans had different meals daily: breakfast, dinner, and supper. Breakfast was eaten early, usually between 6-7 am. Dinner was consumed around midday, and supper was eaten in the afternoon, around 8 pm. The kinds of food eaten depended significantly on wealth and status. They enjoyed all kinds of meat, including beef, pork, lamb, mutton, and bacon. The Elizabethans also ate fruit and vegetables. Some of the vegetables available to them were turnips, parsnips, carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, cabbage, onions, leeks, spinach, radishes, garlic, and skirret—a popular root vegetable of the time. Expensive fruits like peaches, oranges, and pomegranates were eaten only by the rich. Fruits were regarded with some suspicion in Tudor times and were rarely eaten raw. They were mostly baked in tarts or pies or boiled to make jams. Indeed, pies were very popular in Tudor times and were eaten by rich and poor alike!

Nutritional Habits

The Tudors did not fully appreciate the nutritional value of vegetables, and rich people, who had a vast amount of choice in food, didn’t eat enough of them. Nuts were also widely eaten in Tudor times, with hazelnuts and walnuts being particularly popular, alongside pulses such as peas, beans, and lentils. Spices and herbs were used to flavor food, and honey was the most common sweetener as sugar was very expensive. Nutmeg was also very costly. The lack of understanding regarding the nutritional benefits of these foods indicates a broader perspective on Elizabethan dietary habits, which were heavily influenced by social and economic factors.

Beverages

Water was considered unsafe to drink; thus, the Elizabethans drank ale instead. Even children drank ale as it was not very strong, with strong ale reserved for times they wanted to make merry! The rich drank ale too, but also wine, which was very expensive. Popular wines were claret, malmsey, and sack (a type of sherry). Milk was sometimes drunk, sheep’s as well as cow’s, but was mostly used to make butter, cream, and cheese. This aspect of Elizabethan life reflects the broader societal norms and beliefs about health and safety at the time (Elizabethan Food, n.d.).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the dietary habits of the Elizabethan era were complex and influenced by various social and economic factors. The choices made during this period have had a lasting impact on English cuisine, demonstrating that food and drink are not merely sustenance but also a reflection of cultural and historical contexts.

References:

• Elizabethan Food. (n.d.). Retrieved from [source URL]