this post was submitted on 13 Oct 2025
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What are some well known food and drinks that where in use by cultures around the world until someone "discovered" it and changed it

For example a culture uses a food or drink or even an ingredient in a specific way for a long time and then someone comes along and "discovers" it but changes it to make it more palatable to them

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[–] TomMasz@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago

The Sumerians made beer by soaking bread (usually made from barley) in water, waiting a while, and then drinking the bubbling liquid. Now beer is made from barley (mostly) that has been sprouted (malted) before being dried and ground along with a number of ingredients, hops in particular, that the Sumerians never heard of.

[–] athairmor@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

The maize that people eat today is very different than the maize indigenous people in the Americas ate. It’s been genetically modified through selective breeding.

[–] shawn1122@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Alcohol was first distilled in the Arabian peninsula. Prior to that consumable alcohol maxed out at 13%. 'Hard liquor' had many applications and was mixed into potable water for long voyages as an antibacterial agent.

Coffee as a drink also originates in the Arabian peninsula, specifically Yemen where it was used to stay awake during prayer. Prior to that it was chewed.

[–] DrBob@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 month ago

Chocolate was a highly spiced beverage when the Spanish found the Aztecs drinking it. Look what it's become.