The events depicted in the Bible may have happened thousands of years ago, but human tastes have remained constant across the centuries. Indeed, biblical figures enjoyed some of today’s best-loved meals and ingredients. Here are 19 biblical foods that we still eat daily.
Fish
The story of Jesus feeding his followers with bread and fish is one of the Bible’s most famous tales. Modern fish only multiply by breeding, but that doesn’t stop them from being a popular food. According to the WWF, more than 3 billion people eat seafood on a regular basis.
Salt
Salt is a great addition to many dishes, although some choose to avoid it for health reasons. The mineral makes many appearances in the Bible, most dramatically in the Old Testament – Lot’s wife is turned into a pillar of salt for disobeying God, but don’t let that put you off this yummy ingredient.
Eggs
Eggs are a great source of protein for vegetarians, partly because they can be prepared in so many different ways. Poached, fried, or baked in a cake, eggs are so popular that even the Bible refers to them. Many of these references are metaphorical, but this food still has many egg-cellent practical uses!
Garlic
Long before garlic earned a reputation as a vampire repellant, it was mentioned in the Bible. Nowadays, people can’t get enough of the stuff, with garlic bread being an enduringly popular (if not exactly healthy) snack. Times change, but tastes don’t.
Butter
While the BBC rightly points out that butter contains saturated fat, it remains popular for spreading, frying, and baking. It’s also mentioned throughout the Bible – in Judges, a woman gives a man butter before killing him. Cholesterol may be bad, but at least butter isn’t the death sentence it once was!
Pistachios
Pistachios may seem trendy, but people have been nuts about them for centuries. Travelers took pistachios with them during one of their journeys to Egypt, as depicted in Genesis. Little did they know that their descendants would one day turn this iconic nut into one of the world’s tastiest ice cream flavors!
Almonds
Almond milk is very popular, especially among health fanatics and young people. However, not everybody knows that almonds have been eaten for millennia. In the Old Testament, the almond tree often represents Israel or is used to punish those who defy God.
Lentils
Lentils are high in protein, fiber, and antioxidants, so it makes sense that they’re enjoyed around the world. They’ve also been eaten throughout history, even in biblical times. Lentils are mentioned several times in the Bible, including in Ezekiel and in the Books of Samuel.
Onions
Onions are a key ingredient in one of the world’s most amazing cuisines: French cooking. Yet centuries before anyone invented French onion soup, biblical figures were using this endlessly useful vegetable. We can only imagine that their eyes watered when they sliced onions, too!
Cucumbers
Everyone loves a cucumber, they’re a great way to add some much-needed crunch to a lunchtime sandwich or they can be pickled for an acidic twist. Cucumbers were also enjoyed in the Bible, as they are mentioned in the Old Testament as a vegetable eaten in Egypt.
Stew
Stew is a staple in many cultures, all of which have their own takes on this hearty dish. Perpetual stews can keep people fed for weeks or months, as the CBC reports. None of these long-term stews have endured since biblical times, but more temporary versions do make an appearance in the Bible.
Beans
Americans love to gently mock the British fascination with baked beans, but related legumes have been eaten for millennia. They’re even referred to in the Bible’s Books of Samuel and Ezekiel. Even thousands of years ago, people clearly recognized the health benefits of this high-protein food.
Bread
Bread is one of the Western world’s most popular carbohydrates, thanks to its many uses and great taste. Bread also plays a pivotal role in the Bible. God instructed the Israelites to eat only unleavened bread during the Passover – this was to commemorate how the people had made a hasty escape from Egypt.
Lamb
Lamb may not be as common as beef or pork, but it’s a great lean alternative to other meats. It was also eaten in the Bible. This makes sense, as lamb is part of the famous Mediaterian diet, which contains many foods that would have been popular in biblical regions.
Honey
The Bible describes the Promised Land as a place full of milk and honey. This description impresses the figures in the Old Testament, suggesting that they too enjoyed eating this sweet treat. Today, honey is used as a sweetener due to its health benefits and antibacterial properties.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is renowned for its health benefits; Harvard Medical School discusses its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It’s unsurprising that olive oil is mentioned in the Bible, as olives are grown throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East. Nor is it just a healthy food, as the Bible uses it to represent purity and divinity.
Cheese
Biblical figures are never more relatable than when they’re eating cheese, a food that earns several mentions. This melty treat is a staple of U.S. cuisine, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Parts of the Bible may provoke debate, but everyone can agree that cheese is one of life’s pleasures.
Apples
An apple is often (probably inaccurately) blamed for Adam and Eve’s fall from grace in the Garden of Eden. However, there are more concrete references to the fruit in biblical literature. The Song of Solomon refers to the refreshing taste of apples, suggesting that they were as good then as they are today.
Mint
Mint is a popular flavoring used in both sweet and savory dishes. It’s clear that the people of the Bible felt the same way, as mint is referenced on several occasions. For example, the Book of Matthew mentions the tasty herb which grows in Middle Eastern countries like Palestine.
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