Ancient Egyptian Cuisine

The ancient Egyptians, like all peoples, was keen on his food and drink. However, they differed from other peoples in their religious beliefs, in which they believed that the deceased would return to life again and would need his food in the afterlife. Therefore, offerings were made to the deceased so that he could enjoy them in the other world. In some cases, we find that some foods were buried with the deceased. And one of the beliefs of the ancient Egyptians was that the deceased in the afterlife, and through magical texts that were written on the walls of the tombs, if the deceased recited them, the offering table on the wall would become a reality that he would use in their other life. This custom has continued until now, as Egyptians, when they visit their ancestors, distribute some food to those who pray for the deceased.

Essential Foods of the Ancient Egyptians

The ancient Egyptians’ table was never without a set of daily foods, most importantly bread. The ancient Egyptians knew many types of bread that he made from wheat and barley. they even made baked goods similar to what is now known as pastries or cakes and used honey in them. The ancient Egyptians also made sure that beer was always on his table, but they drank it without alcohol. And the finest wine they had was made from grape juice. For their health, they used onions in their food to strengthen immunity, as well as the Egyptian Viagra (lettuce and juniper). Grapes, pomegranates, and figs, which they called the food of the gods, were among their favorite fruits. their food was also never without protein, most importantly domestic birds such as geese, ducks, and chickens. As well as delicious food from farm animals that he raised in his house, such as cows, bulls, goats, and rams. The ancient Egyptians also fished from the Nile, and it was a delicious meal for them. they often liked it salted, especially on holidays. Food was also a source of happiness for them, because when they harvested fruits, especially grapes, they held dancing celebrations, and this was one of the sources of their joy. So food was not only to satisfy hunger but also a source of happiness when they held harvest festivals. They also used oils in cooking, and they knew cooking oil that they extracted from sunflowers and sesame. This is because they knew that oils would not cause them diseases if they used them in cooking. They also loved eggs, which represented the beginning of the universe for them, and they used them for breakfast and in the most important ancient Egyptian holiday that continues to this day, the Sham el-Nessim (harvest festival) known today as the Spring Festival. The ancient Egyptian colored eggs, and this custom has been passed down from ancestors to descendants until today, as Egyptians still color eggs on Sham el-Nessim today. They eat it with vegetables and salted fish on this holiday, which is considered the oldest continuous holiday in history with the same types of food and the same features. They still go out for picnics and ride boats on the Nile.

A scene of a complete meal including types of fruits like pomegranate and grapes, as well as bread and some animal foods.

An image from the Saqqara tombs in the Old Kingdom of a vessel in the shape of a goose

A view on the right of cooking food and on the left a person carrying different types of fish and geese

The diversity and richness of the meal of the ancient Egyptian, as he enjoyed the smell of food and the scent of the lotus flower in his hand

Offering tables that are presented to the deceased in the afterlife.

table of Hapi

An offering table of Hapi, the god of the Nile, containing the bounties for the Egyptian people.

bread table

An image of a bread table from the tomb of Kha in Deir el-Medina in Luxor, now in the Turin Museum

ancient and modern Egyptian bread