Not all “luxury” food began as nourishment for kings and queens. In fact, some fine-dining favorites of today experienced a massive societal glow up over the last several centuries, highlighting the role perception plays in our culinary reality. Ready to guess which ones? Take our quiz and find out!
#1. Once primarily used as dog feed, this ingredient is now roasted for premium prices in modern haute cuisine.
#2. During the Middle Ages, this rare and difficult-to-harvest food was criticized by the wealthy for its overly complex flavor notes and used it for pig feed instead.
#3. Once a source of protein for the poor, this Muppet-unfriendly dish is now a French and Chinese delicacy.
#4. What complete protein began as a staple for the poor in Bolivia and Peru?
#5. What high-end appetizer, now prized for its terroir, did Charles Dickens famously highlight in The Pickwick Papers? “Poverty and ______ always seem to go together.”
#6. What symbol of fine dining extravagance was once so abundant it was served to prisoners?
#7. This creamy and sophisticated dish was once exclusively a cheap staple that kept Italian peasants nourished.
#8. These little creatures were garden pests used as a protein source during times of famine. Now, they are served à la Bourguignonne in French restaurants.
Results
Congratulations historians, time travelers, and food enthusiasts – You Passed!
Better luck next time!
