Symposion / restorative potion (thick drink)
Kykeon — Barley, Cheese and Mint Drink
RemedyDocumented🫙 🍋facile10 min
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.
Symposion / restorative potion (thick 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.
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
- •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)
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.
Sources : Homer, Iliad (Book XI, the kykeon prepared by Hecamede) · Homer, Odyssey (Book X, Circe's kykeon)