On the Physical and Political Consequences of Sauces
Author(s)
Symons, M.
Abstract
Sauces, though often considered to be a superfluous, though appetizing, part of the meal have historically shaped a lot of the known world. As Encyclopedia Britannica states, their “elaboration consisted mainly of a progressive variety of foods, the richest and rarest being sought out.” Thus sauces, and the need to acquire the necessary ingredients, have been seen as indicative of social status (indeed they still are), have been the driving force behind expansion, discovery and war, and have had far more consequences than most would assume. Salt for example, was so important to the Romans that our word “salary” literally means, “salt money” and Salzburg means “salt castle.” Sauces moved beyond embellishment in Paris to become a form of fashion, though many still sought to retain the meal’s office as a way of sharing and creating communion with one’s family and friends. The meal influenced all from Socrates’ protegee Xenophon, to the traditional Chinese division of sex (notably seen at the dinner table); all were under the purview of the meal.
