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The hard answer is that the historic record does not allow for a comparison between staples in absolute numbers. What we can establish from archaeological finds
by CaptArmchair 6y ago
The hard answer is that the historic record does not allow for a comparison between staples in absolute numbers. What we can establish from archaeological finds and historic sources is that bread has been a staple food throughout history. That doesn't exclude anything else: Quotidian Roman cuisine, for instance, is quite rich and diverse. Gruel was definitely something that people ate, depending on the context (demographic, location, time).
Within historical research, uncovering old or ancient recipes and meals, and trying to remake them today is a proper niche. There are a number of good cookbooks that allow you to try it for yourself. Alternatively, you'll find plenty of inspiration on YouTube.
- yvdriess 6y agoIt is also becoming clear that bread has come after beer, which has come after gruel. The theory is that gruel from wild grains came first, where soaking them helped to soften them up for consumption. Leaving gruel sit there in certain conditions starts fermentation, so beer making probably followed closely after. There is evidence that larger scale cultivation of grains precedes bread, so it is an interesting thought that we owe the switch to (semi-)sedentary lifestyles to beer ;) It takes quite a bit of grains to produce bread, so it makes sense that bread was only developed once there was a large amount or surplus of grains available.
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