Could a bowl of apple porridge really cure the 14th-century Black Death?
In short: During the 14th-century plague, medical professionals turned to the theory of the four humors to prescribe dietary remedies. This episode explores how medieval doctors attempted to treat the pandemic through food and recreates a specific recipe from the Harleian Manuscript 279.
Medieval medicine was heavily influenced by the theory of the four humors, which posited that health depended on the balance of bodily fluids. When the plague swept through Europe, doctors sought to restore this equilibrium using specific ingredients believed to have medicinal properties.
The featured recipe, sourced from the 15th-century Harleian Manuscript 279, combines apples, almond milk, honey, grated bread, saffron, sandalwood powder, and a pinch of salt. The preparation involves boiling and mashing the apples before simmering them with the remaining ingredients to create a thick, porridge-like dish that could be served either hot or cold.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Plague & the Four Humors
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