Did you know that some foods sitting on your fridge were once exclusive to royalties? Yup, even those that you commonly see in grocery stores were considered a fortune back then. Today, you’ll see many of these foods as an added ingredient to your favorite dishes. In this list, we’re bringing you 10 foods that were once exclusive to royalty and the surprising ways they ended up on your plate.
10. Chocolates
There’s an entire aisle dedicated to Chocolates at your local grocery store, but did you know that they used to be a delicacy reserved for the Aztec and Mayan royalty? Yup, they used to drink them as a bitter drink mixed with spices for energizing properties. However, when Europeans discovered cacao, they used it as a sweetened treat for royal courts. When the royal monopoly broke, they brought their chocolate habits, contributing mainly to its widespread.
9. Ice Cream
We all purchase a tub of Ice Cream whenever we feel sad, but it actually has roots in ancient royal courts. Chinese emperors enjoyed them with milk and rice, while European monarchs mixed them with fruit and honey. However, with the invention of the refrigerator, ice cream became more accessible to the masses.
8. Pineapple
Pineapple used to be a rare and exotic fruit that was served to European royalty. They were imported from America, and they symbolize wealth and hospitality. Because of their unusual look, they were often displayed when guests were visiting as a way to impress them. As farming and transportation improved, pineapple became much more accessible for everyone.
7. White Bread
In medieval Europe, white bread was created just for the royalty, while coarse or dark bread was meant for the peasants. Why? White Bread used to symbolize high status as its production required extra labor. However, through the years, baking evolved, which made White Bread accessible to everyone.
6. Coffee
Coffee was considered an Arabian luxury that was reserved for the wealthy Europeans. They get their coffee from luxurious coffeehouses that have become a special spot for the elites. Yup, who knew that coffeeshops were once reserved for the elite? However, when cultivation grew in other colonies, coffee became more accessible and affordable.
5. Sushi
Every once in a while, we grab Sushi for a quick meal. But did you know it used to be a delicacy for emperors and the elite? In ancient Japan, the earliest form of Sushi began as a fish preservation method. They were created to be visually stunning by chefs. Today, you can get sushi at high-end restaurants and even ready-made ones at grocery counters.
4. Victoria Sponge Cake
The Victoria Sponge Cake is a pastry consisting of two sponge cakes filled with jam and buttercream. Queen Victoria enjoyed this simple sponge cake for her afternoon tea. It evolved in 1856 using baking powder and was renamed Victoria sponge in honor of the reigning monarch.
3. Margherita Pizza
Who knew this classic pizza flavor, which you can get at any pizza place, used to be a food created for royalty? The Margherita Pizza is made with mozzarella, tomato, and basil. It was created in Naples to commemorate the visit of Margherita of Savoy, who used to be the Queen of Italy. The chef whom the Queen tasked to cater created three pizzas: Pizza Napoli, Pizza Marinara, and Pizza Margherita. To say the least, Pizza Margherita won everyone’s hearts.
2. Almonds
You can find Almonds in many desserts, but they used to be exclusive to ancient royal courts due to their health benefits. The Persian and European monarchs used to add them to their confections and feasts. Through the trade route, its reach expanded, and modern farming methods made them widely available.
1. Strawberries
Today, Strawberries are one of the most common fruits you will see in the grocery stores, but before, they were exclusively grown in the royal gardens of France. King Louis XV was obsessed with the fruit and ordered his gardeners to create larger and sweeter ones. But when the French Revolution happened, royal gardeners who needed a job sold their knowledge of growing strawberries to farmers, contributing to its widespread cultivation.