Food of the Ancient Egyptians

Food supplies were plentiful in ancient Egypt. Egyptians were very much dependent on the yearly flooding of the Nile to produce a fertile land in which famine was rare. Scenes of raising livestock were a a popular subject of art on Egyptian walls and tombs. No less rare, are scenes of fishing and fishermen along with images and hieroglyphs about the preparation of fish for eating, and images of birds and foul being plucked and preserved. Egyptian art more often portrayed the act of food preparation than the food itself. However, banquets and feasts were common amongst the nobles. Goose and beef were popular dishes, but were very likely limited to those with the wealth to afford such delicacies.

For the ordinary Egyptian family, fish was a frequent meal the provided protein. Once fish were gutted they were often hung to dry or preserved in salt. Fishermen had to reserve some of their catch as payment to Egyptian government officials, but were allowed to keep the remainder for food and trade.

When it came to preparing the food, Egyptian women were largely responsible for the task. A basic Egyptian dining room probably consisted of a low table and chairs. Diners may have seated themselves on the floor. Evidence suggests that the Egyptians referred eating with their hands not with utensils.

Vegetables and fruit were abundant in Egypt. Meals often included onions, leeks, celery, lettuce, radishes, cucumbers, beans and lentils. The Egyptians favored spices like marjoram, coriander and dill to add flavor to their food. Meals often consisted of fruits like figs, grapes, dates and berries.

Ancient Egyptians often made wine from dates, figs and pomegranates in addition to grapes. Beer was a popular drink. The Egyptian version was made from wheat and often flavored with fruit.

Athenaeus, a Greek scholar who visited Egypt in the third century described Egyptian beer as very strong and an aid in The enjoyment of dancing and singing. The Delta region and western desert were populated with many wineries.

Ancient Egyptian life may not have offered the conveniences that many of us enjoy today; however, nourishment was rarely an issue as the lands and the Nile provided a rich variety of meats, vegetables and fruit for the citizens of Egypt.

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