Biblical era Jewish cuisine

emmer wheat, cultivated in biblical times

the daily diet of ordinary ancient israelite 1 of bread, cooked grains, , legumes. bread eaten every meal. vegetables played smaller, significant role in diet. israelites drank goat , sheep’s milk when available in spring , summer, , ate butter , cheese. figs , grapes fruits commonly eaten, while dates, pomegranates, , other fruits , nuts eaten more occasionally. wine popular beverage , other fermented beverages produced. olives used oil. meat, goat , mutton, eaten , reserved special occasions, such celebrations, festival meals, or sacrificial feasts. game, birds, eggs , fish eaten, depending on availability.

figs, 1 of mentioned fruits in bible.

most food eaten fresh , in season. fruits , vegetables had eaten ripened , before spoiled. people had contend periodic episodes of hunger , famine. producing enough food required hard , well-timed labor , climatic conditions resulted in unpredictable harvests , need store food possible. thus, grapes made raisins , wine, olives made oil, figs, beans , lentils dried, , grains stored use throughout year.

the cuisine maintained many consistent traits based on main products available israelite period until roman period, though new foods became available during extended time. example, rice introduced during persian era. during hellenistic period, trade nabateans increased, more spices became available, @ least afford them, , more mediterranean fish imported cities. during roman period, sugar cane introduced.

the symbolic food of ancient israelites continued important among jews after destruction of second temple in 70 ce , beginning of jewish diaspora. bread, wine, , olive oil seen direct links 3 main crops of ancient israel – wheat, grapes, , olives. in bible, trio described representing divine response human needs (hosea 2:23-24) and, particularly, need seasonal rains vital successful cultivation of these 3 crops. (deuteronomy 11:13-14). significance of wine, bread , oil indicated incorporation jewish religious ritual, blessings on wine , bread shabbat , holiday meals, , @ religious ceremonies such weddings, , lighting of shabbat , festival lights olive oil.