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 Medieval Food and Drink
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

● Types of foods and beverages that people ate and drank in the
Middle Ages
● Food as an distinctive feature of social hierarchy in the Middle Ages
● The two-meal system followed by people in the Middle Ages
● Preparation of food in the Middle Ages
● Methods of food preservation in the Middle Ages
Let’s learn more about
FACT FILE Medieval Food and Drink!

Cereals were consumed in the

form of bread, oatmeal,
polenta, and pasta by virtually
all members of society. Vegetables represented an
important supplement to the
Meat was more cereal-based diet.
expensive and, Cod and herring were very
therefore, considered common in the diet of
a more prestigious northern populations.
food. It was mostly present on the tables
of the rich and noble. The most common
types of meat were pork and chicken,
whereas beef was less common.
DIET RESTRICTIONS DEPENDING ON SOCIAL CLASS
Before delving into the types of foods that people ate in the Middle
Ages, it is necessary to be aware of the social distinctions present at
the time. Medieval society was stratified and strictly divided into
classes.
In an age where famines were Following the ideology of the era,
quite frequent and social society was made up of individuals
hierarchies were often belonging to the nobility, the clergy,
enforced with violence, food and the common people (i.e.,
was an important sign of most of the working class).
social distinction, and it
possessed great value.

The relationship between the classes was strictly

hierarchical. The nobility and the clergy claimed their
material and spiritual superiority over ordinary people.

Between the nobility and the clergy, there also existed a

multitude of levels that ranged from the king to the Pope,
from the dukes to the bishops, down to their subordinates,
such as knights and priests.

In general, everyone was expected to remain within the social class to

which they were born and to respect the authority of the ruling classes.
Political power was shown not only through government action but also by
displaying one’s own wealth.
The nobles exhibited their refined In contrast, men of toil had to be
manners at the table and were able to content with crude barley bread and
afford eating fresh meat flavoured salted pork. They were not expected
to know the correct etiquette.
with exotic spices.

The diet of nobles and high-level prelates was considered

both a sign of their refined physical constitution and their
economic prosperity. The digestive system of a
gentleman was believed to be more delicate than that of
one of his peasants and subordinates. Therefore, he
required more refined foods.

One key difference was that they ate

much more meat and fewer
vegetables. Rich people also
considered dairy products to be food
for the poor, so they were unlikely to
consume it.
Illustration of medieval peasant family home
THINK ABOUT THIS! ACTIVITIES FOR AGES 11-14

CLASSIFICATION. Classify the foods into their correct

1 categories. (X marks)

A. Pork D. Oatmeal G. Beef

B. Legumes E. Cabbage H. Polenta
C. Chicken F. Bread I. Carrot

CEREALS MEAT VEGETABLES

 THINK ABOUT THIS! ACTIVITIES FOR AGES 14-16

RECIPE CREATION. Based on your knowledge of medieval

1 cuisine and methods of food preparation available during that
period, create a recipe that could be followed in the Middle Ages.
(X marks)

NAME OF DISH:

HOW TO MAKE::

INGREDIENTS:

TIME TO MAKE:
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