eating a sweet after lunch (or at any time of the day) is a pleasure. The most curious and what many may not know is that the habit of eating sweets goes back to Ancient Rome. Although the sweets began to become popular with the discovery of bee honey many years before it was not until the arrival of the Roman Empire when it spread the habit of eating sweets at the end of a meal.
The dessert was how to put the gold brooch to a great meal. It Was how to enhance everything previously eaten in addition to being an important adjunct in terms of nutrient input. Do Not forget that many traditional candies contain products such as nuts, cereals, oil… that are fundamental.
Why is dessert served at the end?
But Perhaps the most curious thing is to know why after a copious meal there is the habit of eating sweet.
How we said to take dessert has its roots in the Roman Empire. Surely you’ve seen in more than one movie The feasts that were given. In these copious meals were served numerous dishes and between plate and savoury dish was usual to serve sweets. To This custom the Romans called it secundary mesae. A practice that has lasted until today.
The Arab influence has also been noted. In The Arab countries, sugar candies with nuts were popularized. In fact, some sweets like the rosegones have their Arab origin.
The best, always at the end
In family meals or between friends the best always comes at the end. So, as the Romans did, we left the best for the end. Not only because we eat something sweet that leaves us a good taste of mouth but because with the stomach happy the table conversations take a different dimension.
And not just family meals. It has Always been said that big business is closed in a good table. And in them you can not miss a good coffee along with some liquor and of course a good doughnut of anise or perhaps some sweet raisins and walnuts.
In Lent, also sweeter
The ingestion of sweets has always been related to the time of year. For example, in The Lenten season it was also typical that the ingestion of traditional sweets was increasing. The season of Lent goes from the celebration of Ash Wednesday (which is celebrated after the Carnivals) until Easter.
The acts of fasting and abstinence forced to alleviate the lack of food by eating more sweet products. The fast consisted of making a main meal throughout the day (except Sundays). And practiced at the time of Lent. Abstinence consisted of not eating meat on Fridays during the same time. This lack of essential nutrients was to be covered with sweets and nuts.
Although times have changed the habit of eating sweets In lent and Easter has remained to this day. Keep in mind that these are dates when the day begins to lengthen and we need more energy.
Now we know where the habit of eating sweets comes from in dessert or at the end of a meal. Our ancestors already did. For something it would be.
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