The Delicious Legacy

Pomponius Mela, a Roman geographer, who hailed from the Roman province of Baetica (now Andalusia) in southern Spain writing in 43AD, he described the Ireland and Irish people as “a people wanting in every virtue, and totally destitute of piety”. And yet this country was so “luxuriant in grasses” that if cattle were “allowed to feed too long, they would burst”.Hello! The ancient Greek geographer and explorer Pytheas of Massalia while exploring north west Europe named the land of Ireland "Ierni" and from there Claudius Ptolemaeus ("Ptolemy") called the island Iouerníā . The Roman historian Tacitus, in his book Agricola (c. 98 AD), uses the name Hibernia. It meant "land of winter", and he modern name Eire derives from here.So today's episode, part 1, is all about the food history and food culture of ancient Ireland. I've talked with food historian Regina Sexton who is based in Cork to give me all the fascinating details of the rich ancient food history of Irish people.Regina Sexton is a food and culinary historian, food writer, broadcaster and cook. She is also a graduate of Ballymaloe Cookery School holding a Certificate in Food and Cookery. She is the Programme Manager of UCC's Post-graduate Diploma in Irish Food Culture. She has published widely at academic and popular levels. Her publications include A Little History of IrishFood (Gill & Macmillan, 1998) and Ireland’s Traditional Foods (Teagasc, 1997)I hope you'll enjoy my discussion with her and join me soon for part 2!See you soon,Thom & The Delicious Legacy

...Ninkasi, you are the one who pours out the filtered beer of the collector vat,It is (like) the onrush of the Tigris and the Euphrates.Hello! The lines above are from a brilliant Assyrian hymn to the Goddess of the brewing process: Ninkasi. Also a good set of instructions on how to make beer!Aside from beer, there are many other inventions that Sumerians are credited with. But there is not enough time in my lifetime to write everything about Mesopotamian food!From Sumerians, to Akkadians to Assyrians and Babylonians, we're talking about civilizations and empires that lasted roughly four thousand years. More time has elapsed from the first cuneiform clay tablet in 3200BCE -when writing was invented- till the last tablet around 1st century AD, than from the last until today. What were their recipes? How do we know? And what about their food production systems and first documented agricultural practises?Enjoy!As you usual, if you want to contribute and help me do this podcast you can support me on Patreon. Music by the amazing Pavlos Kapralos!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzgAonk4-uVhXXjKSF-Nz1A

Deep in a mountain in the Pontic Alps, North-East Turkey, there's a monastery reminiscent of Tolkien's Minas Tirith; the seven-walled fortress city built on the spur of a mountain. Nestled in a steep cliff at an altitude of about 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) and facing a beautiful wooded mountain valley is Panayia Soumela Greek Orthodox monastery, dedicated to Virgin Mary. This is the heartland of the Pontic Greeks. And my journey today begun from a church with the same name, near my home town of Veria, in Northern Greece, 1800 Km away from Trabzon, deep in a forested mountain on a similar altitude...Hello! The Pontic Greeks lived in the region of northern Turkey roughly in the areas of Trabzon, Samsun and Gerishun, Sinop for about 2 millennia before their forced expulsion and genocide.But their food and culture remains still alive luckily for us, and even their unique Greek language which traces its lineage to ancient Greek!So what did they eat? How they cooked their foods? And how does their cuisine differ from other Greeks, and the similarities with other Black Sea nations around...Some spectacular videos of Panagia Soumela Monastery and countryside in Trabzon region mountains:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQb3UJVvbmMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynLcqCxCh0sFor traditional Pontic produce in Greece today go to Thessaloniki and find this guy:http://ragian.gr/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=4Google map link for the Thessaloniki shop:https://maps.app.goo.gl/QJGjFiEBW4YN7W369The farm were they age cheeses in caves, smoke their own meats and produce their pasta:https://maps.app.goo.gl/yVQHg9HVdGDcEyWdAMore information about history and culture of Pontic Greeks:https://pontosworld.com/index.phpAnd the Guardian article that inspired me to do this episode today:https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/apr/03/endangered-greek-dialect-living-bridge-ancient-world-romeykaWith music from Pavlos KapralosEnjoy!

Hello....!Who hasn't heard of feta cheese among us?Now I'm not saying that you necessary need to like it, but most of us know about this white, tangy & salty Greek cheese served with your Greek salad on your favourite holiday destination.But is the feta cheese we eat a "fait accompli"? (or feta accompli?)What is Sfella or "Feta of the Fire"?On today's episode we look at the facts currently and finds out that this is by far not the truth.A lot of deception happens from the rugged mountains in the north west of Greece till the final product reaches your table in faraway lands...Here's some great PDO fetas and other delicious goat and sheep milk cheeses from Greece.Moiras Cheesemakers Geraki Lakonia: (Μοίρας Τυροκομικά, Γεράκι Λακωνίας) tel: +30 27310-71.378Traditional Cheesemaker Tsatsoulis Levidi Arkadias (Παραδοσιακό Τυροκομείο Τσατσουλή, Λεβίδι Αρκαδίας) www.tsatsoulis.com.gr Goat cheese with character: www.tousias.gr Another great Feta cheese: https://chelmos.gr/https://www.maltbyandgreek.com/chelmos-feta-pdo-4kg-in-100g-slicesThanks for listening!The Delicious Legacy

Helloooooo...!Easter in UK and Western Europe (Catholic or otherwise) is nearly upon us!Traditionally the most important celebration of Christianity.On this episode from the archives, from April 2020, I'm re-publishing the episode about Eastern Orthodox Easter where I describe in some general terms what is happening during the Lent and Easter Sunday.As is the most important date of the religious calendar and as such, is celebrated in style!The Lent lasts 40 days and then follows the Holy Week (another lent period) and the the Easter Sunday celebrations!What is tsoureki? What do the Greek eat on Palm Sunday?Do they really paint red the hens eggs? Why?And what is "mageiritsa" that's eaten after the midnight mass on Saturday to Sunday morning?Centre piece of Easter Sunday is a whole spit roast lamb on charcoal, or two (or as is the case with my family 3)...and kokoretsi...If you're nostalgic (as a Greek that's stuck abroad and missing it this year) tempted and hungry do have a listen!Music by Pavlos Kapralos.We will back next week with a new episode...!Much love and happy Easter!The Delicious Legacy

Hello!What is Greek Cuisine today?How do we define the food of the modern Greek nation? Clear and in many ways transparent cuisine.can it be defined from the simplicity and freshness of the ingredients, and her frugal, austere or thrifty nature?Is it just this though?And how Greek is mousaka, a dish that is considered so Greek throughout the world?These and much more, I explore on today's episode on the origins of creation of the modern Greek Cuisine and how this is a problem of definitionfor many national cuisines and the myth that is essential in their story.Enjoy!The Delicious Legacy

Hello!Today I have the pleasure to interview historian Dr Eleanor Barnett about her new book, "Leftovers".The interview was conducted in January, in anticipation of her new book which is coming out on Thursday 14th of March, as a hardback from Head of Zeus.Preservation of food, and waste management isn't a new problem for our globalized societies. It's part of humankind's story from very early on.On this episode Dr. Eleanor Barnett will talk about the past 600 years -give or take- and what happened in Britain specifically from Tudor era until today- with an eye looking into our future! Why food was wasted in the past? How it was wasted? And what did they do with all the food waste that they created?In times of abundance it's easy to forget how tough can be to feed one's family and self. In the past when harvest failed, prices rose, riots followed; when unscrupulous merchants tried to sell the produce unfairly or abroad, mobs descented and took the wheat or cheese for themselves. Yet now we throw away seemingly an endless supply of perfectly good to eat food. 46% of UK waste is from households and hospitality today. Agriculture and farming for 28%, food processing and manufacturing for 17%, and food distribution for 9%. This equates to 9.5 million tonnes every single year. Globally 14% is lost between harvest and retail, and 11% in households. So let's take a deep dive in the past and find out more!Dr Eleanor Barnett posts on instagram as @historyeats and here's her website:https://www.eleanorbarnett.com/

Hello!Welcome back to another archaeogastronomical adventure! I think you'll enjoy this one! Sweet and complex and full of myths, legends and symbolism!Honey is a revered food the world over and bees a sacred and important insect.Let's find out about the first ever apiary, the ancient egyptian practises, mesopotamian myths and ancient greek myths of honeybees.Plus why the Romans hated Sardinian honey so much? Enjoyyyy!Thom & The Delicious LegacyMusic by Pavlos Kapralos.

Hello!I have a genuinely exciting episode from the archives of The Delicious Legacy! Even though this is a re-run I have added some extra bits on the intro and outro with bonus ancient recipes! And it's massive! Labyrinth, Minotaur, Talos, and many other myths and legends, Gods and kings and pirates and poets! This is the sun-kissed, sea-guarded Crete everybody!I had the great honour to talk with food archaeologist Jerolyn Morrison who is in the island of Crete. For the almost 3 decades now, with teams of dedicated, hard working archaeologists from different fields, she explores and excavates ancient sites all over the island. Jerolyn specialises on findings from the Minoan times, so we are talking really ancient stuff here! Times full of myths and legends!More about how you can get involved you can find here:https://www.minoantastes.com/aboutEnjoy!Thom & The Delicious Legacy