[Sca-cooks] (no subject)

[Terry Decker]

> There is an entire chapter in Ibn Sayyar al-Warraq on water as a beverage. 
> He considered it THE ONLY drink appropriate to serve with the meal. Then, 
> depending on the temperament of the diner, it was to be served with ice or 
> without.
>
> Only at the end of the meal were flavored sharbat served - sekanjabin - 
> which it turns out is pronounced skan-ja-been - for those who'd eaten too 
> much that was sweet, julab - which is rosewater syrup - for those who had 
> too much that was sour.
>
> Alcoholic beverages were not drunk with the meal, but after the dishes had 
> been cleared and the company had retired to share poems, listen to music, 
> etc.
>
> Urtatim (that's err-tah-TEEM)

Good to know about the water.

At the time al-Kitab al-Tabih was written, Sufism was spreading widely in 
the region.  The looser interpretation of the Q'uran and the use of alcohol 
presented in the work may be a reflection of Sufist philosophy being 
embraced by the Caliph's court.  Any thoughts?

Bear