flipKykeon — Barley, Cheese and Mint Drink
Kykeon — Barley, Cheese and Mint Drink
Why this dish? Kykeon is the drink offered in the Iliad to the exhausted warrior to restore his strength — exactly what a hero needs between exploits. A rustic food-drink, it is the "pick-me-up" of the Greek people and weary fighters.
A thick, rustic beverage: water (or watered wine) in which toasted barley flour and grated goat cheese are mixed, flavored with mint. Half-drink, half-porridge, drunk to restore oneself.
You stagger with fatigue? Here, drink this, as it was handed to me more than once. In the cup, you stir the ground barley, grate goat cheese over it, toss in a few mint leaves, and mix until everything blends. It is neither quite to drink nor quite to eat — but it fills your belly and steadies your arm. Down it in one go, and up: the labors do not wait for a man who complains.
- •Toasted barley flour (alphita) — two handfuls (base)
- •Fresh goat cheese — a piece, grated (body)
- •Spring water or watered wine — one cup (liquid)
- •Pennyroyal mint — a few leaves (flavor)
Kykeon — Barley, Cheese and Mint Drink
A thick, rustic beverage: water (or watered wine) in which toasted barley flour and grated goat cheese are mixed, flavored with mint. Half-drink, half-porridge, drunk to restore oneself.
Why this dish? Kykeon is the drink offered in the Iliad to the exhausted warrior to restore his strength — exactly what a hero needs between exploits. A rustic food-drink, it is the "pick-me-up" of the Greek people and weary fighters.
You stagger with fatigue? Here, drink this, as it was handed to me more than once. In the cup, you stir the ground barley, grate goat cheese over it, toss in a few mint leaves, and mix until everything blends. It is neither quite to drink nor quite to eat — but it fills your belly and steadies your arm. Down it in one go, and up: the labors do not wait for a man who complains.
Ingredients (period version)
- Toasted barley flour (alphita) — two handfuls (base)
- Fresh goat cheese — a piece, grated (body)
- Spring water or watered wine — one cup (liquid)
- Pennyroyal mint — a few leaves (flavor)
Ingredients
- Barley flour or blended barley flakes — 3 tbsp (base)
- Fresh goat cheese (soft) or grated feta — 40 g (body)
- Water (or water + a little white wine) — 250 ml (liquid)
- Fresh mint — 4 to 5 leaves (flavor (replaces pennyroyal, toxic in large doses))
- Honey — 1 tsp (optional) (sweeten)
Method
- Whisk the barley flour into the cold liquid to avoid lumps.
- Grate the fresh cheese and stir it in.
- Add the finely chopped mint (and honey if desired).
- Mix vigorously until smooth and thick. Drink cold, from a cup.
How it was made : Kykeon (from kukáō, "to mix") appears as early as Homer: in the Iliad, one is made with barley, grated goat cheese and Pramnian wine. A ritual version with barley and pennyroyal mint played a role in the Eleusinian Mysteries. A popular, nourishing drink, it was made with water, milk or wine.
The contemporary twist : Reimagined as an "ancient athlete's smoothie": served very cold in a clay cup, whisked to make it frothy.
Sources : Homer, Iliad (Book XI, the kykeon prepared by Hecamede) · Homer, Odyssey (Book X, Circe's kykeon)
Hercules · Charactorium
