Teacher's notes

WHAT DID THE VICTORIANS EAT?
At the beginning of this period, most people relied on the foods that were in season and available locally or those which had been pickled or preserved. Bread and potatoes were the most important foods and high prices and the invasion of potato disease brought starvation to Ireland, Scotland and parts of England.
The expansion of the network of railways meant that fresh foods could be transported more easily over long distances. New techniques of bottling, canning and food processing were introduced. A cheap way of making ice was invented in 1861 and refrigerated transport became available in the 1880's.

WHAT EVIDENCE TELLS US ABOUT THE VICTORIANS AND THEIR FOOD?
The books of writers such as Jane Austen and Charles Dickens give us some idea of what different classes of people ate during Victorian times. There are also numerous cookery books.

History: 11a