Food connects us to our past in ways few other things can. Imagine tracing your culinary heritage back not just centuries, but millennia. The oldest surviving recipe in the world dates back to around 1700 B.C. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the kitchens of ancient Mesopotamia.
This ancient recipe, written on a cuneiform tablet, is part of a collection known as the Yale Culinary Tablets. The recipe is for a type of stew, a staple dish of the time. It consists of meat, vegetables, and an array of aromatic spices and herbs. While the exact ingredients can vary due to translations and interpretations, it generally includes lamb, barley, and a mix of onion, garlic, leeks, and various herbs.
What’s truly remarkable is how this recipe highlights the sophistication of ancient culinary practices. The instructions involve techniques like simmering and seasoning, indicating a level of culinary knowledge and appreciation that rivals modern cooking. The use of spices like coriander and cumin shows that even thousands of years ago, cooks were deeply interested in flavor and aroma.
This recipe is a window into a culture that values the art of cooking as much as we do today. So, next time you’re in the kitchen, take a moment to appreciate the long, rich history of the recipes we often take for granted.