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THE 10 OLDEST COOKBOOKS IN THE WORLD?

Yale Culinary Tablets (1700 BC)

Three clay tablets may just be the oldest cookbooks in the world. Known as the Yale culinary tablets, these Mesopotamian tablets display the oldest recipes. Experts have deciphered the cuneiform writing to discover 25 recipes for stew, most of which are meat- based plus a few vegetable varieties.

De re coquinaria (4th-5th century)

“Apicius” in its early editions was known as De re coquinaria. Titles of the 10 sections include Epimeles ('The Careful Housekeeper’), Pandecter (‘Many Ingredients'), and Thalassa ('The Sea’). The recipes give modern-day readers a look at how and what —such as flamingo — the wealthiest people ate during the time.

Kitab al-Tabth (10th century)

Written during the early 10th century by Ibn Sayyar al-Warraq, this cookbook offers a fascinating look at medieval Islam's gastronomic culture. A large collection of more than 600 recipes within 132 chapters, Kitab al-Tabth is the earliest known culinary book of its kind.

Kitab al-Tabth (13th century/1226)

This Kitab al-Tabth was compiled by Muhammad bin al-Hasan bin Muhammad bin al-Karim al-Baghdadi — better known as al- Baghdadi. A culinary tome of the Abbasid period features 160 recipes, with an additional 100 added over the years.

Le Viandier (1300 AD)

A famous cookbook from the Middle Ages, Le Viandier is believed to be written by Guillaume Tirel. There are four surviving manuscripts today. The earliest version contains approximately 130 recipes.

Llibre de Sent Sovi (1324)

This Catalonian cookbook is the oldest surviving culinary manuscript of its kind, whose author is completely anonymous. More than 220 recipes were added over the years.

Yinshan Zhengyao (1330)

Written by court therapist and dietitian Hu Sihui, the cookbook and popular source for Chinese medicine is a guide to help people eat healthier and keeping certain diseases at bay. Some recipes are imbued with Mongolian, Turkic and Persian flavors. The Yinshan Zhengyao includes a recipe that may be the ancestor “Peking Duck”.

Daz buch von guter spise (c. 1350)

Written around 1350, Daz buch von guter spise is the oldest German cookbook. Providing an insight into the culinary culture of the urban upper class, the book features 101 recipes. Meant for more experienced cooks, The Book of Good Food showcases what many modern-day foodies would think of as haute cuisine.

The Forme of Cury (1390 AD)

The Forme of Cury is an ancient English cookbook written by 'The Master Cooks of King Richard II.' The original version contains 205 recipes. Some of the ingredients featured within the recipes include olive oil and cloves, as well as exotic spices such as nutmeg, cardamom, ginger and caraway and meats like cranes, herons and whales.

Le Ménagier de Paris (1393)

Le Ménagier de Paris was a guidebook on how women, especially wives, should properly act during medieval times. Located in the second section of the book are the recipes offering ingredients and preparation methods without any instructions.