Elite/Feast FoodA majority of food descriptions appear to come from the Spanish in their interaction with the Aztecs and for this reason it would appear that many of these meals were served in a palace or more prestigious setting, not to mention could have an ethnocentric view on the matter, which must be taken into account (Coe 1999). The very first offering of food to the Aztecs by Motechzoma made the Spaniards rather ill, as they were offered tortillas spattered in blood (as the Aztecs saw fit for gods), which they did not consume (Davidson 1999). But they were also given white bread without blood, eggs, fowl and fruit - which they did consume (Cohen 1972:28). But later accounts from the Spanish under "normal" conditions show Aztec food receiving more positive reactions. Sahagun for example recalls a feast of white tortillas, grains of maize, turkey eggs, turkeys and all kinds of fruits (some 25 varieties he lists) and a drink of chocolate (which the Spaniards at first were hesitant about but later found desirable) (Davidson 1999). There is also a rather robust description of a feast within Motechzoma's halls by Bernal Diaz, which elaborates the variety of food (with more than thirty styles of dishes prepared - and in large quantity) and thousands of jars of chocolate with foam and no end of fruit (Coe 1994:74-76). The Spaniards took this initial meal as a sumptuous banquet upon seeing it with their own eyes, although it appears it was a rather standard meal for the palace (Davidson 1999). Another account by Sahagun gives the order of a meal, beginning with tortillas and tamales with sauces (which would feature wide variety of spices, vegetables and sometimes forms of animal protein), followed by fruit and finished with the chocolate drink (Coe 1994). Another examples is given from an Aztec account, describing a feast thrown by a high member of the merchant class and while customs appear to differ, we again see tamales/tortillas with a meat sauce, as well as chocolate and other drinks (Coe 1994:78-79). So while the quality/quantity and perhaps variety of dishes between commoners meals and feasts by merchants and in the palace may differ, it appears that often the foods may have been of similar design (with other more unique dishes being mentioned in line with feasts, but also in the mention of the marketplace, leading to the notion that perhaps variety was available, just not unique foods daily. |
FastingThese feasts in particular seem to contrast the idea of Aztecs as an abstemious and frugal people, subsisting on meager fare and fasting frequently (Davidson 1999). Although fasting was a frequent activity, particularly for those such as Motecuhzoma, it appears that Aztecs seemed to seek an equilibrium between abstinence and indulgence (Davidson 1999). Also at times the fasting (in its simplest form) was just abstaining from salt and chilies (Davidson 1999).  Florentine Codex |