Popular Culture and Culture of the Elite
Popular Culture and Culture of the Elite
This chapter talks about the distinction between the gastronomy of lower classes (bourgeois) and ruling classes (noble). From the Middle Ages and beyond, the alimentary culture of European elites emphasized meat, which symbolized privilege and power. Humble foods, such as grains, beans, and vegetables, “revealed” a peasant nature, as well as inferior grains which yielded dark breads. However, the alimentary identity of certain Italian localities in the north contrasted with the “Mediterranean” tradition of the south. This can be seen in the gastronomic innovations of Bologna, which includes grapes, figs, and cabbages. Through the social exchanges in Italy between city and country, they eventually developed a culinary tradition based on a variety of botanical products.
Keywords: bourgeois, noble, European elites, Middle Ages, meat, vegetables, alimentary identity, Bologna
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