History
2. The Tudors		 Back

 

 

Teacher's notes

WHAT DID THE TUDORS EAT?
The rich people ate boiled and roasted meat, poultry, fish, soups and bread. Raw fruit and vegetables were regarded with suspicion and their sale was banned during the plague of 1569.
Trade with Europe resulted in some new fruits being introduced to the gardens and dining tables of the wealthy. These included apricots, raspberries, red and black currants, melons, oranges and lemons.
Journeys of exploration led to the introduction of other fruits including potatoes, tomatoes, known as 'love apples', kidney beans and sugar. The rich were especially keen on sugar and tooth decay became a real problem. Queen Elizabeth was said to have black teeth.

WHAT EVIDENCE TELLS US ABOUT THE TUDORS AND THEIR FOOD?
There is lots of documentary evidence available from plays, books, estate papers, poems and paintings. Edward White published a collection of recipe books in the late sixteenth century.

  

History: 10

Try a recipe from a Tudor cookery book:

Pears in syrup - from 'The Good Huswifes Jewell' by Thomas Dawson

Ingredients:

  • 1.4 kg pears
  • 850 ml water
  • 225g sugar
  • 150 ml rosewater
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) whole cloves
  • 2 cinnamon sticks

This is what you do:

  • Bake the pears in a casserole dish for 1-1.5 hours (Gas mark 4, 180 C).
  • Cool the pears and then peel them.
  • Simmer a mixture of any juice produced by the pears mixed with the other ingredients.
  • Add the pears and simmer for a few minutes.


Apple mousse - from ‘A Proper Newe Book of Cokerye’

Ingredients:

  • 700g apples
  • 3 tbsp water (45 ml)
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 2 tbsp rosewater (30 ml)
  • 2 tbsp sugar (30 ml)
  • 25g butter
  • 1 pinch of ginger and cinnamon

This is what you do:

  • Core and peel the apples, soak them in water in a covered saucepan until soft.
  • Blend the apples into a smooth puree and then place in a saucepan.
  • Stir in the egg yolks, rosewater, sugar and butter whilst heating the mixture.
  • Put the mixture in a dish and allow to cool.
  • Sprinkle with cinnamon and ginger.
 


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