Normans had an influence on medieval food also. They learned this from the French and Scandinavian. Crusaders brought new foods and spices that were soon introduced to the European menu. They began to use spices but they were expensive so the poor were not able to buy them. They also developed the biscuit. However their water was unclean but it was a necessity. During this time a disease going around called the Black Death, often referred to as the Bubonic plague, no one wanted to eat meat so more was available to the poor. The poor only ate few meats generally. The main diet in the middle ages was bread. They ate rye and barley bread. The poor were available to little fruits even though they were the ones who grew it. These fruits included apples, lemons, apricot, peaches, cherries, different berries, and melons. They knew little about health so they had health problems including bad teeth, skin diseases, scurvy and rickets- a disease in children caused by vitamin D deficiency.
The wealthy people ate little fresh foods. If they did they were generally baked in pies or persevered in honey. The upper class at Manchet- fine white bread. They also ate many meats ranging from beef, pork, veal, poultry, rabbit, and swans. The poor was only allowed to eat coarse food. Venison was considered food for the rich people. Also people in this era ate fish. Perch, pike, and tench were often eaten by lower class members. For the upper class pork made up most of their banquets.
The wealthy people ate little fresh foods. If they did they were generally baked in pies or persevered in honey. The upper class at Manchet- fine white bread. They also ate many meats ranging from beef, pork, veal, poultry, rabbit, and swans. The poor was only allowed to eat coarse food. Venison was considered food for the rich people. Also people in this era ate fish. Perch, pike, and tench were often eaten by lower class members. For the upper class pork made up most of their banquets.