12 Family Recipes That Are a Hidden Health Hazard
Cooking has been an integral part of every family’s life since the dawn of humanity. Even today, many beloved and popular recipes around the world, like flatbreads and beer, date back thousands of years. But not all culinary traditions have aged well. It turns out that our ancestors were putting some very dangerous stuff in their meals. Here’s a look at 14 recipes from throughout history that, while potentially delicious in their time, contain hidden health hazards we wouldn’t dare include in our kitchens today:
Roman Apicius and his Lead-Laced Legacy
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The wealthy Romans loved a good glaze on their food, and a popular ingredient was a sweet, syrupy reduction called “defrutum.” Unfortunately, the lead pots used for this reduction often leached lead into the final product, contributing to lead poisoning among the elite.
Medieval Mead: A Honey-Wine with a Hazardous Hint
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Mead, a fermented honey beverage, was a staple drink in medieval Europe. However, fermentation can convert naturally occurring arsenic in honey into a more toxic form. Cheers to healthier alternatives!
Victorian Era Calomel Craze
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In 19th century America, calomel, a mercury chloride compound, was a popular “cure-all” for various ailments. Little did they know this “medicine” caused mercury poisoning, leading to symptoms like tremors, diarrhea, and even death. Yikes!
Georgian “Glow-in-the-Dark” Fish
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For a truly unique dining experience, some wealthy Georgians enjoyed fish treated with a phosphorus compound. While it made the fish emit an eerie glow, this practice resulted in phosphorus poisoning, a nasty and potentially fatal condition.
Grandma’s “Grandma Killer”
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This isn’t a real recipe, but it highlights the dangers of improperly preserved food. Before refrigeration, botulism poisoning was a real threat, often caused by home-canned vegetables without proper sterilization techniques.
The Aztec ”Chocolatl”
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While the Aztecs didn’t have access to refined sugar, their chocolate drink, “chocolatl,” was quite bitter. They used chili peppers and achiote seeds to add flavor, but achiote seeds contain a compound that can interfere with blood pressure medication.
Death by Dinner Plate
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Beautiful yet deadly, certain types of colorful glazes used on historical pottery contained high levels of lead or other heavy metals. Lead poisoning from contaminated plates could cause developmental delays, nerve damage, and even death.
Roman Garum: A Fishy Ferment with a Foul Reputation
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Garum, a fermented fish sauce, was a prized condiment in ancient Rome. While its pungent aroma might not be for everyone, the real hazard was the risk of botulism if not prepared correctly.
The “Sugar Cure” and Lead Acetate
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Before the development of nitrites, some butchers used lead acetate to preserve meats, giving them a “rosy” color. Needless to say, this practice resulted in lead poisoning and contributed to a distrust of certain preserved meats.
The Ambrosia of the Andes
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In the Inca Empire, coca leaves were chewed for their stimulating properties. While coca leaves themselves are not particularly harmful, some folks used to mix them with a highly alkaline substance called “lluq’eta,” which could lead to health problems.
Victorian “Cosmetics” and the Dangers of Mercury
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Not just for food, mercury was also a common ingredient in cosmetics during the Victorian era. Face creams and powders containing mercury could cause skin irritation, neurological damage, and even death.
Radium-Laced “Radithor”
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In the early 20th century, radium was seen as a miracle cure-all. One such product, “Radithor,” a radioactive water tonic, promised increased energy and vitality. Needless to say, this radioactive “tonic” caused serious health problems, including radiation sickness and death.
The “Mummy Powder” Myth
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While not exactly a recipe, the belief in the medicinal properties of ground-up mummies persisted in Europe for centuries. Mummies, however, were often preserved with toxic substances like arsenic and resins, making them more likely to cause harm than offer any real benefit.
Tender and Toxic
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This isn’t about cereal, but rather the historical practice of using lead shot to tenderize game meat. Lead shot lodged in the meat during hunting, and unsuspecting diners unwittingly consumed lead along with their dinner.