In praise of beer, the source of civilisation

Though beer has become a purely recreational drink over the last century and a half, as changes in food production, water management, and attitudes towards alcohol have phased it out of daily life, for many of our ancestors it was essential – as sacred as fire, bread, and the other building blocks of civilised life.

Oat Bannoch for Imbolc

Siobhan Ball invites you to welcome Imbolc with folklore surrounding Brigid, goddess and saint, and a delicious recipe for a traditional unleavened oat bannoch.

Polysporia – a dish that dedicates every grain to the gods

“Made up of a mix of all the grains, legumes, and edible seeds grown in any given area,” writes Siobhan Ball, “polysporia belongs to that most fundamental class of agricultural ritual: the kind that gets down to the bare bones of the relationship between man and gods, expressing plainly what we want and what we’re willing to give in exchange.”

The Festival of Pomona

Siobhan Ball celebrates the end of apple season with the myths and folklore surrounding Pomona, the Roman goddess of apples, and includes a frustrating but authentic recipe for a Minutal of Fruit from Apicius, the ancient Roman gourmand.

Get your blackberries before the Púca does!

Siobhan Ball introduces TWH’s readers to the folklore of the blackberry – including why you need to eat them before the Faerie Folk claim them for their own – and also offers a delicious recipe for a blackberry and apple crumble.