The Culinary Travels of James Cook. Continued

 

The Culinary Travels of James Cook

Continued

- Cabbage? - Tomato interjected with obvious suspicion. - Was that supposed to save his team?

- Sauerkraut," the pan clarified, swaying on the stove. - It was taken in barrels. Useful stuff, considering that the alternative was to lose half the crew because their teeth suddenly fell out, their gums rotted, and their legs wouldn't listen.

- Horrible," Tomato shivered.

- That's why Cook made his men eat it without fail," the frying pan continued. - And if someone refused, he simply gave the same cabbage to the officers. And when the ordinary sailors saw the officers eating it, they began to devour it with such enthusiasm, as if it was not cabbage, but a pie with fried blueberries.

- Tricky," the coffee beans admitted. - And what other tricks were there?

- Well, it wasn't just cabbage he was stocking up on," the frying pan said proudly. - The holds were full of dried beans, flour, dried peas, even chocolate. Though your ancestors,“ she nodded toward the coffee beans, ”had not yet gotten to cocoa beans.

- Of course not!" the beans were indignant. - We are the drink of philosophers! They drink us to keep their spirits up and their minds sharp!

- Yes, yes, of course," replied the frying pan condescendingly. - But tea is another matter.

I picked up the cup and took a sip, signaling that I was ready to hear this part of the story.

- Cook and tea? - I clarified.

- Oh, tea was gaining popularity in England by then. Sailors preferred grog, though, because the water in the barrels quickly turned into something even rats wouldn't drink. But if you could get tea, you were a rich man amongst your own.

- And what was Cook's favorite? - I asked.

The frying pan leaned thoughtfully, as if considering something.

- They say he liked simple dishes. Baked fish and peppers, meat chowder, and sometimes fresh bread and cheese. But his main concern was food for the team, not for himself.

- A selfless man, the tomato admitted. - But I still don't understand why he sailed so far away. Was the whole expedition worth it just to bring back home the recipes of exotic cuisine?

- Of course it was! - the frying pan burst into flames. - Imagine Europe without potatoes, without tomatoes, without cocoa, without vanilla!

- Without us? - The tomato blushed even more.

- Exactly," confirmed the frying pan. - That's why the great travelers made such sacrifices. For flavor, for spices, for people to enjoy food!

I took another sip of tea thoughtfully.

- So Cook was not just an explorer, but a hero of the culinary revolution?

- Exactly! - exclaimed the frying pan.

- Well, here's to his contribution to history then! - I raised my cup, and the whole kitchen hummed in approval.

To be continued.