On the Menu in Ancient Egypt: Poultry - Google Arts & Culture (2024)

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What was the food culture in ancient Egypt? ›

Historic documents and artifacts showed that the ancient Egyptian diet concentrated on a variety of staple foods, including whole wheat bread, beans, barley, cereals, vegetables, and fruits. This food menu persuaded some Egyptology researchers to argue that ancient Egyptians may mostly have followed a vegetarian diet.

They hunted wild animals such as gazelles, barbary sheep, oryx and hare. They could also capture and eat wild birds such as the Egyptian goose, migrating ducks and other water birds. Ostrich eggshells are a common find on sites so the eggs were probably consumed.

Domestic chickens (Gallus gallus) play a significant role, ranging from food and entertainment to religion and ornamentation. However, the details on their domestication process are still controversial, especially the origin and evolution of African chickens.

The staples of both poor and wealthy Egyptians were bread and beer, often accompanied by green-shooted onions, other vegetables, and to a lesser extent meat, game and fish. An early Ramesside Period mural painting from Deir el-Medina tomb depicts an Egyptian couple harvesting crops.

The Egyptian diet

Dried fruits, almonds and sesame seeds were also eaten, and sesame and olive oils were used in cooking. Other common foods included eggs and dairy products such as milk, yoghurt and cheese. Animals and poultry were raised for food, but only the wealthy could afford to eat meat regularly.

Cleopatra's diet was full of vegetables, legumes, fruit and meats such as pigeon, goat and mutton and of course seafood. Olive oil, honey, cheese and cereals also featured prominently. Bread and barley beer were regular foods in ancient Egypt. Figs were also very common.

The wide range of fruits that grew in the hot climate of Egypt meant that the ancient Egyptians had a wide range of fruit juices to drink. These included figs, grapes and pomegranate. The ancient Egyptians drank milk and made cheese from cow's and goat's milk.

Many milking scenes provide evidence that the ancient Egyptians consumed and used cow milk, as well as milk from other animals. Cheese, cream, and perhaps a ghee- or butter-like product were most likely also produced although evidence is scant.

The mysterious origin story of chickens

But before there were domesticated chickens, humans became acquainted with their wild ancestors: red junglefowl (Gallus gallus) from Southeast Asia, where the birds carved out a niche eating fruit and seeds, particularly in dense forests of bamboo.

What did chickens eat 100 years ago? ›

Before the 20th century, poultry were mostly raised on household farms and ate insects, table scraps and plants around their pens.

Chicken: ‎فرخة ‏ Chickens: ‎فراخ PSA: THIS IS EGYPTIAN DIALECT 🇪🇬 Feel free to drop your countries way of saying it in the comments.

Throughout human history, however, your wealth dictated the access to and variety of foods available. Poor Egyptians relied on a diet of bread, beans, onions and green vegetables to stave off hunger.

The Egyptians (1500 B.C.) One of the first cultures to enjoy great-tasting water was the Egyptians. They purified their drinking water using a variety of methods. To eliminate harmful bacteria, they boiled the water, heated it in the sun, or submerged hot iron into it.

Beside bread and beer, the ancient Egyptian meals were mainly set from vegetables, fruit, milk, dairy products, and fish. Also, many species of fattened poultry or wild birds were eaten in ancient Egypt. The regular consumption of beef is observed in the higher social class [5].

Modern Egyptian culture is a blend of ancient traditions and contemporary influences. It's characterized by a mix of Islamic, Arabic, and Western elements. Urban areas are more cosmopolitan, while rural areas maintain more traditional practices.

The ancient Egyptians hunted a variety of animals, including birds, gazelles, crocodiles, zebras, lions, deer, and ostriches. The typical ancient Egyptian diet contained a significant portion of meat (though no where near to the level of the elites), so hunting became a very important skill to possess.