Oldest known European Medieval cookbook discovered

Image
Press Trust of India Washington
Last Updated : Apr 21 2013 | 5:55 PM IST
Researchers have unearthed the oldest known European cookbook dating back to 12th century, containing many food and medical ointment concoctions.
The recipes are compiled and written in Latin and someone had jotted them down at Durham Cathedral's monastery in the year 1140.
It was essentially a health book, so the meals were meant to improve a person's health or to cure certain afflictions. The other earliest known such recipes dated to 1290.
Many of the dishes sound like they would work on a modern restaurant menu, 'Discovery News' reported.
"According to the text, one of the recipes comes from the Poitou region of what is now modern central western France," Giles Gasper from Durham University's Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies said.
"This shows the extent to which international travel and exchange of ideas took place within the medieval period. And what more evocative example of cultural exchange could there be than food?" Gasper added.
Researchers are putting together a translation of the cookbook under the title "Zinziber" (Latin for ginger).
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Apr 21 2013 | 5:55 PM IST

Next Story