Food and Cooking in Viking Times

Clive Gifford’s Food and Cooking in Viking Times offers a structured look at Scandinavian dietary habits during the era of exploration and colonization. The text examines how warriors sustained themselves while raiding and settling across Europe, focusing on high-protein meals and daily sustenance. Gifford organizes the content into distinct sections that cover farming, fishing, hunting, and trade practices. Readers encounter chapters titled Farms and food, Bread, Life in the longhouse, and The meal-fire, which detail the practical aspects of Viking survival and culture. The book also explores social rituals through chapters like Mealtimes, Viking drinks, and A Viking feast. It addresses the procurement of resources via Fresh fish and Hunting and gathering, while Towns and trade highlights commercial exchanges. The narrative concludes with Off to Valhalla and a Glossary to aid understanding. This volume suits young readers interested in history and culinary traditions. It does not serve as a comprehensive academic resource for adult scholars or those seeking complex historical analysis. The work remains grounded in juvenile literature standards, providing factual information rather than speculative theory. Its clear structure makes it accessible for students researching European food history. This paperback edition provides a concise overview of Viking cuisine and lifestyle through accessible chapters and straightforward explanations.