The True Story of Napoleon's Favorite Dish: Poulet à la Marengo

TLDRNapoleon Bonaparte's favorite dish, poulet à la Marengo, gets its name from a battle he won and a victory dinner he enjoyed. Although the original recipe is unknown, it is believed to have included chicken, oil, garlic, white wine, mushrooms, and seasoning. Despite its uncertain origins, the dish became popular in Paris and has since been associated with Napoleon. Despite his reputation as a picky eater, Napoleon had a preference for simple dishes and fast eating. He rarely drank alcohol, but enjoyed coffee and occasionally indulged in chocolate or tea.

Key insights

🍗Poulet à la Marengo is a dish named after the Battle of Marengo that Napoleon enjoyed after his victory.

🍷Napoleon preferred simple dishes and avoided complicated and succulent dishes.

☕️Napoleon drank coffee daily, although he only took half a cup after breakfast and another after dinner.

🍫When working late at night, Napoleon enjoyed drinking hot chocolate.

🍽️Napoleon had a preference for quick and simple meals, often with chicken as the main component.

Q&A

Why is poulet à la Marengo associated with Napoleon?

Although the origins of the dish are uncertain, it is believed that Napoleon enjoyed poulet à la Marengo after his victory at the Battle of Marengo. The dish became popular in Paris and was associated with Napoleon, despite his picky eating habits.

What were Napoleon's favorite foods?

Napoleon enjoyed simple dishes like chicken dressed with oil and onions. He also had a preference for beans, but was afraid of finding threads in them. Fresh almonds, rolled waffles with cream, and a few lozenges for candy were also among his favorites.

Did Napoleon have any dining habits or quirks?

Napoleon ate quickly and often swallowed food without chewing much. He preferred using his fingers instead of utensils, and his table manners were known for being messy. He also drank mostly wine, which was often watered down, and avoided liquor.

What did Napoleon drink besides wine?

Napoleon rarely drank anything besides wine, which he often watered down. However, he enjoyed coffee several times a day and occasionally indulged in chocolate or tea, particularly when working late at night.

What was Napoleon's favorite dessert wine?

Napoleon's favorite dessert wine was a sweet wine from South Africa called Constantia, which he referred to as Las Casas. He considered it medicinal and often enjoyed it after dinner.

Timestamped Summary

00:00The dish poulet à la Marengo is named after a battle won by Napoleon and enjoyed after the victory.

03:00Napoleon's favorite foods included simple dishes like chicken dressed with oil and onions, beans, fresh almonds, rolled waffles with cream, and a few lozenges for candy.

06:13Napoleon preferred drinking coffee, particularly after breakfast and dinner, and occasionally indulged in chocolate or tea, especially when working late.

13:26Napoleon's table manners were messy, and he often ate quickly, preferring his fingers over utensils. He had a preference for wine, which was often watered down, and avoided liquor.

16:03Napoleon enjoyed drinking coffee daily, but only took half a cup after breakfast and dinner. He occasionally drank hot chocolate in the evening.