Food and Drink

It’s more than what you put in your mouth, food gives us a flavoursome insight into the past.

A row of large Fanta bottles on a shelf

Fanta's surprising origins in Nazi Germany

'The Art of Washoku' - Traditional Japanese dishes and a chef preparing some fish

The art of Washoku: A culinary masterpiece

Tins of Spam

The surprisingly eventful history of Spam

The history of Pancake Day

The pagan roots of Pancake Day and Shrove Tuesday

Fisherman inspecting their catch

Uncovering Obama city’s unique Japanese food culture and traditions

Fermented fish from Obama CIty

Narezushi: The Japanese fermented fish dish with surprising Imperial origins

A view through an open door of a Japanese Temple on the Mackerel highway

The history of Saba Kaido road: Japan's ‘Mackerel Highway’

Saison d'octobre by Jules Bastien-Lepage

The history of the potato: The humble vegetable that changed the world

Peasants enjoying a simple meal

The weirdest food in history: From fish bladder jam to beaver tails

Sushi

The surprising history behind your favourite Japanese cuisine

The drinking session that led to Civil War

A photograph of a scientist holding a petri dish with growing bacteria

The cautionary tale of Typhoid Mary, the original super-spreader

A photograph of an empty dinner plate

Top Cajun Cuisine To Eat While Watching Swamp People

A photograph of a gin and tonic drink

A brief history of gin

A photograph of traditional soup and hot wine preparation

What did Vikings eat?

William Shakespeare in the Chandos portrait

Did Shakespeare Really Die From a Hangover?