| Unlike other ancient cultures, food was usually | | | | probably consisted of a low table and chairs. Mealtime |
| plentiful in ancient Egypt. The Egyptians relied on | | | | often took place seated on the floor, sometimes at |
| the yearly flooding of the Nile to create fertile lands | | | | a low table. It's believed that Egyptians preferred to |
| that yielded crops that fed the masses. Scenes of | | | | eat with their hands, not utensils. |
| animal husbandry and butchery, were a fixture on | | | | Throughout Egypt, vegetables and fruits were |
| the walls of Egyptian tombs. No less rare, are | | | | plentiful. Celery, leeks, onions, cucumbers, beans, |
| scenes of fishing and fishermen along with images | | | | radishes and lentils were popular vegetables. Spices |
| and hieroglyphs about the preparation of fish for | | | | like marjoram, coriander and dill were often used by |
| eating, and images of birds and foul being plucked | | | | Egyptians to improve the taste of food. They |
| and preserved. | | | | enjoyed grapes, figs, pomegranates, dates and |
| Egyptian art more often portrayed the act of food | | | | berries. |
| preparation than the food itself. However, banquets | | | | Along with grapes, the ancient Egyptians make wine |
| and feasts were common amongst the nobles. | | | | for dates, figs and pomegranates. Beer made from |
| Goose and beef were popular dishes, but were very | | | | wheat was a popular libation often flavored with |
| likely limited to those with the wealth to afford such | | | | fresh fruit. |
| delicacies. | | | | A Greek scholar named Athenaeus who journeyed to |
| For the common Egyptian family, fish was most likely | | | | Egypt in the 3rd century wrote that Egyptian beer |
| the chief source of protein. Once the fish was | | | | was very strong and an aided in the enjoyment of |
| gutted, it was dried by hanging it from cord or | | | | song and dance. Wineries were most common in |
| preserving it in salt. Fishermen were required to share | | | | the regions of the western desert and the Delta. |
| their catch with Egyptian officials, but could then | | | | While perhaps not as plentiful as food is today in |
| trade the remaining fish for other supplies. | | | | most societies, the ancient Egyptians seldom went |
| Food preparation was mostly a task that fell to | | | | hungry. |
| Egyptian women. A basic Egyptian dining room | | | | |