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How was food grown?

A photo of the River Tigris in Baghdad.
Image caption,
The River Tigris in Baghdad was used for trade, travel and irrigation (watering crops).

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

  • Baghdad was built close to the Rivers Tigris and Euphrates which meant lots of crops could be grown and watered.
  • Wheat and semolina were often grown for food.
A photo of the River Tigris in Baghdad.
Image caption,
The River Tigris in Baghdad was used for trade, travel and irrigation (watering crops).
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Where else did food come from?

Map of Baghdad showing trade routes running through the city.
Image caption,
Many trade routes ran through the city of Baghdad.
  • Baghdad was on the Silk Trade route.

  • Other goods such as spices, silk and perfume came from other parts of the world.

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What was the most common food?

Heaps of yellow, brown and red spices at a market.
Image caption,
Spices being sold at a market.
  • People ate food like dates, honey, fish and milk.

  • Spices like cumin, tarragon, mint and caraway were used in dishes.

  • Richer people ate meat such as lamb and goat.

  • Certain foods like pork and drinking alcohol weren't allowed.

Heaps of yellow, brown and red spices at a market.
Image caption,
Spices being sold at a market.
A pot of dates.
Image caption,
Dates were popular in the early Islamic civilisation.

Some popular dishes included:

  • Tharid - meat broth with breadcrumbs on top
  • Asida - a porridge flavoured with dates or honey
  • Zulabiyya - a sweet fritter dessert
  • Luqam - a fried sweet pastry served with syrup
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How do we know what people ate?

Caliphs hosted grand banquets in their palaces with lots of food and music.

A writer who went by the name 补濒-奥补谤谤腻辩 wrote an Arabic cookbook in the 9th century called Kitab al-Tabikh (The Book of Dishes). It has recipes used for the courts of the Abbasid Caliphate (AD750 - 1258) in Baghdad.

A selection of Islamic foods served at Iftar during Ramadan after fasting.
Image caption,
A selection of Islamic foods served at Iftar during Ramadan after fasting.

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims would fast (not eat or drink) during the hours of daylight. At the end of Ramadan, people celebrated with lots of food and gifts.

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

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Activity: Quiz 鈥 Early Islamic food

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