history

Iconic food and gustatory moments in history.

Chocolate: The Sweetest Drug
The emperor was Moctezuma II, last ruler of the Aztec Empire of Mexico, and his addiction to chocolate like a drug, was revealed to us by Bernal Díaz, a Spanish soldier under the conquistador Hernando Cortés who destroyed Moctezuma’s empire in 1521. The beverage that so captivated Moctezuma was actually called cacahuatl by the Aztecs, which Díaz corrupted to chocolatl, from which chocolate and other modern names derive.
By Armando Carrera9 years ago in Feast
Authentic Civil War Recipes
During the Civil War, food shortages were common and soldiers needed to be able to carry food for days. Consequently, the food they ate was meant to keep people alive, with a rare delight mixed in here and there.
By Addison Lewis9 years ago in Feast
History of Pho, the National Dish of the Vietnamese
Pho is considered a national dish for the Vietnamese. To some extent, it is held as a reflection of the heritage and daily life of the people of Vietnam. In layman’s terms, pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup that is traditionally made with chicken or beef broth, spiced with various flavors and topped with different herbs. Because of its complex flavors and deceptive simplicity, pho captured the attention of many people in the West when it was brought over via Vietnamese immigration. Events such as the unification of Vietnam under the French rule and others also delineate the history of pho; what follows is an exploration of this most beloved of Vietnamese dishes.
By Dave Lee9 years ago in Feast
Sizzling Shish Kebab Recipes
Edmund Kean, the Shakespearean actor, dined according to his role. When he acted the hero, he ate beef. When he played the tyrant he preferred pork. But when he had a lover's part he chose lamb. If he had done an action romance, it would have been lamb shish kebab.
By Armando Carrera9 years ago in Feast