ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Mesopotamian cuisine

Oh, hello there! So, you want to learn about Mesopotamian cuisine? Mesopotamia is a very, very old place where many people lived thousands of years ago. Now, let me explain to you what people there used to eat.

Back in those times, people mainly ate food that they could grow or find nearby. They would plant crops like wheat, barley, dates, and fruits, and raise animals like cows, sheep, goats, and chickens. They would use these ingredients to make many different dishes.

One popular dish was called pottage, which was like a thick soup made with vegetables, grains, and sometimes meat. Another popular dish was flatbread, which was made by mixing flour and water, rolling it flat, and baking it in a special oven or on a hot pan. People would often eat flatbread with different toppings or dips, such as yogurt, cheese, or hummus.

People in Mesopotamia also loved to eat meat. They would cook it in different ways, such as grilling it over an open fire, boiling it in a pot, or roasting it on a spit. They would sometimes add special spices and flavors to the meat, like cumin, coriander, and garlic.

People in Mesopotamia also ate a lot of sweets and desserts, like date cakes and pastries. They would mix dates with nuts, honey, and spices, and then bake them into delicious treats.

Overall, Mesopotamian cuisine was very diverse and flavorful. People used what they had available to them and created many different dishes that we can still learn from and enjoy today.