Kykeon, the Drink of Restored Strength
A thick and refreshing brew mixing wine, toasted barley, and grated goat cheese, halfway between drink and meal, served to restore strength.
A thick and refreshing brew mixing wine, toasted barley, and grated goat cheese, halfway between drink and meal, served to restore strength.
When the body fails and the sweat of battle clings to the skin, here is what Hecamede of the beautiful curls poured for Nestor: Pramnian wine in the cup, and over it she grated goat cheese with a bronze grater, and sprinkled white barley flour. Drink it, stranger, stir well before bringing it to your lips: it satisfies as much as it quenches, and restores vigor to weary limbs.
- •Wine (Pramnian) — a cup (base)
- •Dry goat cheese — grated (body and umami)
- •Toasted barley flour — a handful (thickener)
- •Honey — to taste (sweetness (variation))
Kykeon, the Drink of Restored Strength
A thick and refreshing brew mixing wine, toasted barley, and grated goat cheese, halfway between drink and meal, served to restore strength.
Why this dish? In the Iliad, the beautiful Hecamede prepares a kykeon for Nestor and Machaon: Pramnian wine, grated goat cheese, and barley flour mixed in a cup. It is the restorative for weary warriors, the drink every aoidos knew when singing these verses — half-drink, half-food.
When the body fails and the sweat of battle clings to the skin, here is what Hecamede of the beautiful curls poured for Nestor: Pramnian wine in the cup, and over it she grated goat cheese with a bronze grater, and sprinkled white barley flour. Drink it, stranger, stir well before bringing it to your lips: it satisfies as much as it quenches, and restores vigor to weary limbs.
Ingredients (period version)
- Wine (Pramnian) — a cup (base)
- Dry goat cheese — grated (body and umami)
- Toasted barley flour — a handful (thickener)
- Honey — to taste (sweetness (variation))
Ingredients
- Full-bodied red wine — 200 ml (base)
- Grated dry goat cheese (or mild pecorino) — 30 g (body and umami)
- Toasted barley flour — 1 to 2 tbsp (thickener)
- Honey — 1 tsp (sweetness (variation))
Method
- Pour the wine into a cup or a large glass.
- Finely grate the dry goat cheese and add it to the wine.
- Incorporate the toasted barley flour while stirring vigorously to thicken.
- Sweeten with a little honey if desired, stir again, and drink cool or at room temperature, without letting it sit too long.
- For a non-alcoholic version (children, schools): replace the wine with red grape juice.
How it was made : The kykeon (from the verb kykao, 'to mix') is one of the oldest Greek drink-foods described. Circe's in the Odyssey mixes cheese, flour, honey, and wine. It was a comfort and effort drink, and a ceremonial version (barley, water, mint) played a role in the Eleusinian Mysteries.
The contemporary twist : Serve chilled in a modern kylix or a low bowl, dusted with a veil of toasted barley — an 'ancient smoothie' to present in history class.
Sources : Homer, the Iliad, Book XI (Hecamede's kykeon) · Homer, the Odyssey, Book X (Circe's brew)
Homer · Charactorium
