Saturday, October 29, 2011

Fruits of the Known World

KnownUnknown
Apple
Apricot
Banana
Bilberry
Blackberry (Northern Europe)
Cherry
Currant
Date
Fig
Gooseberry
Honeydew Melon
Lemon
Orange
Pear
Plum
Pomelo
Pomegranate
Quince
Raspberry
Acai (South America)
Avocado  (South America)
Blueberry (North America)
Boysenberry
Cape Gooseberry
Carambola
Cranberry
Custard Apple
Cumquat
Grapefruit
Guava
Kiwi Fruit
Loganberry
Loquat
Lychees
Mandarins
Mango
Passionfruit
Rhubarb

Those that need special consideration
  • Limes Only known in the Mediterranean during period
  • Mulberry Known to Persia did not arrive in Europe until after 1500
  • Nectarines Persion did not arrive in Europe until sometime after 1500
  • Orange Earlier periods would have only seen the bitter seville type orange later periods sweeter varieties were available
  • Persimmons Once again a Persian treat known mostly to the East
  • Pineapple A new world native was cultivated in Spain in the 15th century but didn't hit the tables of Europe until the middle of the 16th century
  • Rockmelon/Watermelon Only known to the far east during SCA period
  • Strawberries In period these little gems were tiny much like the tiny wild strawberries that we have today 
  • Tomatoes Were always yellow popular in Spain and Italy after 1500 but never eaten in England

Sources

Dickson, Margaret (1971) Travels in Time: Eating and Drinking Banks and Co, Edinburgh, ISBN 0 71587 0896 1 (for children only)
Dickie, John (2007) Delizia! The epic history of Italians and their food Hodder & Stoughton, London ISBN 978 0 340 89641 9
Norman, Jill (1990) The Complete Book of Spices RD Press, Sydney, ISBN 0 86438
Rogers, Jo (1990) What Food Is That? Weldon Books, Sydney, ISBN 1 86302 091 8
Soyer, Alexis, (1977) The Pantropheon or A history of food and its preparation in ancient times Paddington Press, London, ISBN 0 448 22976 5
Toussaint-Samat, Maguelonne (trans Anthea Bell), History of Food, ISBN 0-631-19497-5
Usherwood, Stephen (1972) Food, Drink and History David & Charles, Newton Abbot, ISBN 0 7153 5657
Watson, A. M. (1983) Agricultural Innovation in the Early Islamic World: The diffusion of crops and farming techniques 700-1100 Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

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