A Deep Dive into Medieval Peasant Food: The Simple and Hearty Makke Recipe

🍲Medieval peasants had a diet predominantly based on crops such as beans, peas, onions, cabbage, carrots, and grains like barley, oats, and rye.

🧅Onions were a common ingredient in peasant dishes due to their availability and ability to add flavor to meals.

🥖Bread, made from barley, oats, rye, or wheat, was a staple in the peasant diet and provided much-needed carbohydrates for energy.

🍻Peasants often consumed ale or mead, as water quality varied and these beverages were safer to drink. Wine was more common in southern European regions.

🌱Peasants grew their own herbs in cottage gardens, which were used for seasoning and medicinal purposes.

What was the main source of protein in the diet of medieval peasants?

—Medieval peasants mainly obtained protein from eggs, dairy products like cheese, and fish. Hunting and raising small animals were occasional sources of meat.

Did peasants have access to spices in their meals?

—Spices were limited to the wealthy, and peasants relied on herbs for flavoring their dishes. Salt was more commonly used as a preservative rather than a seasoning.

Were medieval peasants allowed to drink wine?

—While wine consumption varied by region, northern European peasants primarily consumed ale or mead with their meals. Wine was more common in southern European areas.

What grains were commonly used to make bread for peasants?

—Peasants made bread from grains like barley, oats, rye, and, in some cases, wheat. The quality of bread varied based on the availability of different grains.

What other vegetables besides onions were part of the peasant diet?

—Medieval peasants grew vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, leeks, and peas in their gardens. These provided essential nutrients and added variety to their meals.

00:00In this episode, we dive into the diet of medieval peasants and learn about the simplicity and availability of ingredients for them.

01:23The dish we will be discussing is called Makke, which consists of beans and fried onions.

06:52Medieval peasants were bound by law and custom to perform various tasks, including farming, for the nobility.

09:57Peasants relied on herbs for seasoning their dishes, as spices were limited to the wealthy.

11:33Protein in the peasant diet came from eggs, dairy products, and occasionally small animals or fish.

13:31Carbohydrates were a significant part of the peasant diet, commonly consumed through bread, barley, oats, and rye.

15:04Peasants often drank ale or mead with their meals, providing hydration and energy.

15:35Onions were a staple ingredient in peasant dishes, adding flavor to their meals.