Transcript EATING LIKE AN AZTEC

EATING
LIKE
AN AZTEC
LO:
To be able to describe what
sort of diet the Aztecs had.
The Aztecs were very resourceful
farmers. The Aztecs could not
have become so powerful if their
rulers had not organised farming
efficiently.
During the winter hunger and
starvation could be common.
When food was scarce the
government organised handouts
from wealthy nobles to the poor
who lined up for their rations.
Harvests were always unreliable. Droughts or sudden frosts could
wipe out entire crops. Corn and vegetables were vital to survival as
the Aztecs did not have enough ‘wild foods’ to go around.
The deserts and rainforests provided lots of wild foods for the Aztecs.
Cocoa
beans
were
used to
make
chocolate
drinks.
The prickly pear cactus
produced a sweet juicy
fruit. It was difficult to
pick without getting hurt
but delicious.
Wild black bees
produced honey.
This was easy to
collect as the
bees did not
have stings.
The Aztecs had quite a healthy diet
although for most ordinary people
food was simple. They usually ate
corn, ground into flour and cooked as
porridge, tortillas (pancakes) or
tamales (stuffed dumplings). These
basic foods were served with hot
spicy bean and vegetable stews.
But what about meat and fish? Did the Aztecs eat those.
Yes, of course they did. But not like you and I. Sheep and cows were
unheard of so there was no milk or cheese, no beef or lamb.
Meat dishes came from wild animals like
deer and rabbit.
The Aztecs also kept
Turkeys and dogs to eat.
Armadillos were a special
treat. Their flesh was
considered a delicacy. Their
empty armoured skins could be
hollowed out to make musical
instruments.
You said they ate fish? What sort?
The great lakes in the Aztecs were warm and shallow and
an excellent source of food. The Aztecs used spears and
nets woven from grass to catch fish, turtles, frogs and
lizards.
Nets hanging from poles were also
used to catch geese and ducks.
Freshwater shrimps, tadpoles, fish
eggs and insect larvae were also
collected for food.
Did they ever eat each other?
The Aztecs did eat human flesh –
they were cannibals. But this wasn’t
the usual meal.
As a privilege flesh from enemy
captives killed as sacrifices was
shared among the families of the
warriors who had defeated them.
The warriors themselves did not eat
it.
These meals were to honour the
Gods and remind everyone that life
was perilous - one day everyone
dies.
RICH AND POOR
Most Aztecs began with breakfast at about 10am, long after
they had begun work. This first meal was usually a bowl of
maize porridge called atole, sweetened with honey or spiced
with peppers.
The Aztecs would work until the sun was at its
hottest around 2pm before having their main
meal. This was usually tortillas with tomato
and bean stew. Men usually ate first whilst
women and children had to wait.
A rich emperor would have far more, perhaps 30 courses in
one meal, including tamales stuffed with meat, snails or fruit,
frogs with chilli sauce, beans, sweet potatoes, water fly
tortillas, turtles, crabs and frothy chocolate to drink.
TASK
Emperor Montezuma has invited some
important guests for a huge feast to
celebrate his defeat of the
neighbouring tribe the Tepanecs.
You must design the menu for this
feast.
MONTEZUMA’S MENU
Must have:
• A selection of starters
• Some choices for the main course
• A selection of desserts.
• Drinks
If the emperor is not happy with your menu he will order you to be
sacrificed and you might become the main course!!