What was food like in the early Islamic civilisation?

During the early Islamic civilisation, farmers grew crops (plants that farmers grow to eat or sell) like wheat, barley, fruits and vegetables.

Farmers would bring water to their fields and keep crops healthy.

They also raised animals such as sheep, goats, cows and chicken.

New food was brought to Baghdad through trade along the Silk Road.

Important words on what food was like in the early Islamic Civilisation.

Farming was important for growing food in the early Islamic civilisation.

It provided food for people in cities and villages.

Baghdad was built near the River Tigris and River Euphrates and surrounded by fertile (land that is good for growing plants and crops) land, so many crops could be grown.

Crops included wheat, barley and dates.

Farmers rotated and planted different crops together to keep the soil healthy.

Famers also raised sheep, goats, cows and chickens.

Water was important in desert areas so farmers built canals and wells to irrigate (bring water to crops) the fields.

Trade brought new foods like rice, sugar, spices and citrus fruits from faraway places.

Baghdad was located on the Silk Trade route. The Silk Road was not one road. It was a network of trade routes connecting China, India, the Middle East and Europe.

It got its name because silk from China was one of the most valuable things traded.

Merchants (people who buy and sell goods) from China and India travelled through the city to sell goods like silk, perfume and spices to countries in other parts of the world.

They also brought new foods to the city, such as aubergines, rice and citrus fruits, which made meals in Baghdad tasty.

Some food traded along the Silk Road around AD900.

People ate lots of healthy foods like dates, honey, fish and milk.

Meals were full of flavour because they used spices like cumin, tarragon, mint and caraway.

Richer people ate meat such as lamb and goat.

Some foods, like pork, and drinks like alcohol, weren't allowed because of religious rules.

Some popular dishes included:

• Tharid - A stew made with meat like lamb or chicken, with pieces of bread soaked in the broth.

• Asida - A porridge made from flour and water, eaten with dates or honey.

• Zulabiyya - A sweet, fried dough (like a doughnut) soaked in honey.

• Luqam – Small fried dough balls, dipped in honey or syrup.

The caliphs were the rulers of the Islamic Empire. They hosted grand banquets (fancy meals with lots of food for special occasions) in their palaces with lots of food and music. Banquets could last for hours and included many dishes, from stews and breads to sweets and fruits.

Al – Warraq was a writer who collected recipes. He wrote an Arabic cookbook in the 9th century called Kitab al-Tabikh (The Book of Dishes). It contained hundreds of recipes, food presentation tips and cooking techniques. Making it an important record of daily life in the Abbasid Caliphate (AD750 -1258) in Baghdad.

During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast (not eating or drinking) from sunrise to sunset. This means they do not eat or drink during daylight hours. At the end of Ramadan, there is a big celebration called Eid al-Fitr, with lots of food and gifts.

Muslims around the world today still participate in Ramadan and celebrate its end during Eid al-Fitr.

Have a look at the thinking points below and think about your answer to each question. You could even write them down on a piece of paper or discuss them with somebody else if you want to.

• How did the types of food people eat change because of trade?

• What is similar about how farmers grew crops then and how farmers grow food today?

• Why is Al-Warraq’s cookbook an important record of daily life in the Abbasid Caliphate?

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