We're sunsetting PodQuest on 2025-07-28. Thank you for your support!
Export Podcast Subscriptions
cover of episode 484. The Food that Changed the World

484. The Food that Changed the World

2024/8/14
logo of podcast The Rest Is History

The Rest Is History

AI Deep Dive AI Chapters Transcript
People
J
John Dickie
Topics
John Dickie: 意大利美食并非源于乡村农民的传统食谱,而是城市间的交流和发展。意大利菜是城市菜肴,是城市间对话的产物。许多意大利菜都以城市命名,例如那不勒斯比萨、佛罗伦萨牛排、米兰烩饭等。关于意大利面起源于中国的传说是错误的,最早的记录是在1154年的西西里岛。中世纪时期,意大利不同城市的菜肴特色各异,意大利面并非当时意大利菜的代表。从15世纪开始,意大利面开始成为西西里岛的标志性食物。文艺复兴时期,意大利人开始意识到其独特的饮食风格,这与意大利的文化地位提升有关。1529年费拉拉公爵的宴会菜肴体现了文艺复兴时期意大利宫廷菜肴的奢华和甜咸混搭的特点,与我们今天所熟知的意大利菜大相径庭。16世纪以后,意大利在欧洲宫廷菜肴中的地位有所下降,这与意大利的政治和经济地位变化有关。17-18世纪,那不勒斯成为意大利面文化的中心,这与那不勒斯的人口规模和社会结构有关。那不勒斯人从“吃叶子的人”转变为“吃意大利面的人”,反映了饮食习惯的转变和社会变迁。早期那不勒斯意大利面的食用方式与我们今天所熟知的有所不同,当时主要使用猪油调味。地中海饮食的概念是20世纪50年代由美国科学家提出的,并非意大利传统饮食的真实写照。早期的比萨饼与我们今天所熟知的比萨饼有所不同,它更像是一种扁平面包。19世纪,比萨饼与那不勒斯的贫民窟和霍乱疫情联系在一起,被视为不洁的食物。玛格丽塔比萨的命名与意大利王后玛格丽塔的访问有关,但其背后的故事并非真实。墨索里尼时期的法西斯主义者并不重视食物,他们更关注的是粮食自给自足。法西斯主义者创造了“乡村家庭主妇及其传统食谱”的意象,这是一种政治宣传策略。乔瓦尼·拉纳的成功在于将传统美食与现代商业模式相结合,并成功地建立了品牌信任。意大利美食的独特魅力与其城市文化和商业策略密不可分,并非完全是营销手段。意大利独特的城市网络是其美食文化发展的重要因素。对“正宗意大利菜”的追求是误解,因为意大利菜的历史演变复杂且多元。威尼斯菜肴曾以其丰富的香料而闻名,这与我们今天对意大利菜的认知大相径庭。 Dominic: Tom:

Deep Dive

Chapters
The history of pasta, a staple in Italian cuisine, is explored, debunking the myth of its introduction by Marco Polo. Evidence suggests that dried pasta production originated in Sicily in the 12th century, predating Marco Polo's travels.
  • Pasta production in Sicily predates Marco Polo.
  • The myth of pasta's introduction by Marco Polo was created by the US Pasta Manufacturers Association.

Shownotes Transcript

The unexpected evolution of Italian food can serve as a tantalising doorway into some of the greatest moments of Italian history: from medieval monarchs, murdered popes, and the Renaissance, to secret societies, and Mussolini’s fascist propaganda. Yet the history of Italian food is also riddled with myths and ambiguities, particularly the rustic, romantic idea of it as deriving in the homes of rural peasants. In truth, though the distinctive culinary identity of different Italian cities endures - rising and falling with the fates of their cosmopolitan foundations - the beloved Italian staples of today bear little resemblance to their historical antecedents. For instance, Venetian food was once renowned for its Middle Eastern spices, and an alarming quantity of eels, sweetbreads and sugar is recorded from a feast in Renaissance Ferrara. When was it, then, that Italian food developed its unique identity and reputation? Can it in any way be traced back to the food of the Roman Empire? Did pasta really originate in China before being brought to Europe by Marco Polo? And, does margarita pizza really originate in the whims of a famous 19th century queen?

In today’s episode, Dominic and Tom are joined by historian John Dickie to indulge in a colourful journey through the piquant history of Italian food, dispelling and corroborating a few enshrined myths and legends as they go…


The Rest Is History LIVE in the U.S.A.

If you live in the States, we've got some great news: Tom and Dominic will be performing throughout America in November, with shows in San Francisco, L.A., Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Boston and New York. 

The Rest Is History LIVE at the Royal Albert Hall

Tom and Dominic, accompanied by a live orchestra, take a deep dive into the lives and times of two of history’s greatest composers: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven.

Tickets on sale now at TheRestIsHistory.com


Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Producer: Theo Young-Smith

Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett

Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices)