Hypocras: The Medieval Wine Doctors Prescribed as Medicine
What if I told you one of the most popular medicines in medieval Europe was also the trendiest party drink? Hypocras (or 'hypocras' if you stick to the French pronunciation) was a spiced and sweetened wine so prestigious that kings gifted it to each other; it was believed to be so medically effective that doctors prescribed it, and so delicious
Tudor Mince Pies: A Taste of Christmas Past
Mince pies weren’t always the sweet, fruity treats we know today. In Tudor times, they often contained meat—usually veal or mutton—along with suet, dried fruits, rosewater, and spices. Back then, sweet and savoury mingled happily in the same dish, and spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves were as much about showing off your wealth as they were about taste. These
Meet Saint Agatha: Sicily’s Virgin Martyr and Dessert Icon
Take a look at these paintings: What is this woman holding? We can tell she's a saint by the halo around her head, but who is she? You may know this if you're a Catholic – or an art historian – but this is St Agatha. The reason why I know this, is that
17th Century "Intuitive Eating": Paracelsus and Digestion
What should you eat to be healthy? Well, the answer varies according to time and place, as we know from social media influencers who seem to constantly change their minds about what we 'should' or shouldn't eat'. But who should decide what is healthy in the first place? According to some, only you can know what works for you and
Hot Cross Buns: Discovering the Easter Treat's Rich History
The hot cross bun, a cherished Easter symbol in the UK and worldwide, carries a tale woven through centuries, shrouded in mystique and tradition. While its origins remain clouded in history's fog, it is said that the journey of the hot cross bun begins in the 14th century at St Albans Abbey. According to legend, Brother Thomas Rocliffe, a 14th-century
The Medicine behind food – from starters to desserts
Think of a traditional European meal. First, you'd have starters, maybe a soup, then your main dish, usually something with meat, then you might have dessert, or cheese – or even both! And, depending on what you're eating, you might be advised to pair it with different wines, or ale. Of course, how people eat varies widely across time and
The Fascinating World of Aphrodisiacs
When most of us think of aphrodisiacs nowadays, we imagine a menu of oysters and chocolate, perfect for Valentine’s Day – even if the odd garlic or fenugreek makes an apparition here and there. In the modern world, aphrodisiacs are meant to stimulate the body and increase sexual pleasure: the word comes from the Greek goddess of love and sex,
‘Holy Anorexia’: The Fascinating Connection between Religious Women and Fasting
Social media might make it seem like fasting (and especially intermittent fasting) is something new. But fasting – voluntarily or not – has arguably existed for as long as humans have. People have abstained from food throughout history for many different reasons, not least of which scarcity of nourishment (think of hunter-gatherers during a harsh winter).
What are the ‘Non-Naturals’?
When I was growing up, I was told to avoid cold showers if I was having my period. I was also not supposed to leave the house with my hair wet unless it was summer. When we travelled to the mountains, my maternal grandmother would ‘fill her lungs with forest air’. She claimed to feel instantly healthier.
Hypocras: The Medieval Wine Doctors Prescribed as Medicine
Tudor Mince Pies: A Taste of Christmas Past
Meet Saint Agatha: Sicily’s Virgin Martyr and Dessert Icon
17th Century "Intuitive Eating": Paracelsus and Digestion
Hot Cross Buns: Discovering the Easter Treat's Rich History
The Medicine behind food – from starters to desserts
The Fascinating World of Aphrodisiacs
‘Holy Anorexia’: The Fascinating Connection between Religious Women and Fasting