World Flavors Cookbook

Babylonian Beer and Bread Porridge

Stale emmer bread soaked in dark beer and mixed with date syrup — a simple, caloric sustenance food drunk from a straw in ancient Mesopotamian taverns.

Cuisine: Ancient World

Ingredients

• 200g stale flatbread or emmer bread, torn
• 400ml dark ale or stout (substitute for ancient beer)
• 2 tbsp date syrup or molasses
• Pinch of salt
• Fresh herbs (optional)

Instructions

1. Tear stale bread into a bowl.
2. Pour dark beer over bread.
3. Add date syrup and salt.
4. Let soak 5-10 minutes until bread absorbs beer.
5. Mash slightly with a spoon.
6. Eat with a spoon or drink through a straw as was traditional.