Which Historical Foods Do We Still Eat Today?

19/28 Previous Next

© Getty Images

Butter

The oldest butter discovered in Ireland is known as 'bog butter'. Although it doesn't sound super appealing, the way it's produced makes a lot of sense. The butter is preserved in peat bogs; boggy areas with high levels of tannic acid and low oxygen content. This technique favors the preservation of organic matter for long periods of time.

Bog butter was discovered in several peat bogs in Ireland, with some discoveries dating back approximately 3,000 years. Researchers have conduced chemical analysis and isotope studies to determine the exact characteristics of the butter, in order to see just how similar it is to the dairy delight we enjoy today. The bog butter is said to have had a firm consistency and is considered an early form of food preservation.

The ancient Irish butter provides valuable information about dairy production and consumption practices in the country during that period. Its discovery shows how nature can be used to preserve organic materials over long periods of time, and contributes to our understanding of the history and culture of the region.