How Medieval Monks Ate Like Kings: Doucetes Recipe

TLDRMedieval monks enjoyed luxurious meals, contrary to popular belief. Doucetes, a medieval egg custard tart, was a favorite indulgence. The recipe includes cream, yolks of eggs, milk, sugar/honey, and saffron. Monks often bent the rules to enjoy meat, fish, and fine drinks. Their meals were abundant, flavorful, and catered to their preferences.

Key insights

🛡️Medieval monks lived in both austere and indulgent environments, depending on the monastery and era.

🍮Doucetes, a medieval egg custard tart, was a popular dessert among monks.

🍗Monks often had access to meat, fish, and luxurious drinks in their meals, defying the expectation of austerity.

📝Monks found ways to bend the rules and enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle, especially if they came from wealthy backgrounds.

🍷Monasteries were known for producing high-quality wine and other beverages.

Q&A

Were all medieval monks bound by a strict rule of austerity?

No, while some monks adhered strictly to practices of austerity, others enjoyed more luxurious lives, especially those from wealthy backgrounds.

What is doucetes?

Doucetes refers to a medieval egg custard tart enjoyed by monks and other members of society.

Did medieval monks have access to meat and fish in their meals?

Contrary to popular belief, some medieval monks had access to meat, fish, and other indulgent foods, especially if they came from privileged backgrounds.

How did monks bend the rules to enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle?

Monks often had lands and villages donated to their monasteries, which provided income to support their indulgent lifestyles.

Were medieval monasteries known for producing high-quality beverages?

Yes, medieval monasteries were renowned for their production of high-quality beverages such as wine and mead.

Timestamped Summary

00:40Medieval monks lived in both austere and indulgent environments, depending on the monastery and era.

01:11Doucetes, a medieval egg custard tart, was a popular dessert among monks.

01:47Monks often had access to meat, fish, and luxurious drinks in their meals, defying the expectation of austerity.

08:08Monks found ways to bend the rules and enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle, especially if they came from wealthy backgrounds.

09:55Monasteries were known for producing high-quality wine and other beverages.