WORLDS FIRST RECIPE -THE SUMERIAN SIP

One of the oldest recorded recipes is the recipe for beer from ancient Sumeria, which dates back to around 1800 BCE. The "Hymn to Ninkasi,", includes the first known recipe for brewing beer. The recipe was inscribed on a clay tablet and includes the following ingredients:

1     Bread (baked and crumbled)

2.    Malt (dried and mashed barley grains)

3.    Water

The recipe called for the bread to be crumbled and mixed with water to create a mash, which was then strained through a sieve to remove any large pieces. The malt was added to the liquid, which was then left to ferment for several days before being strained again and left to ferment for several more days.

After the beer had fermented to the desired level of alcohol content, it was then served in large communal vessels for the enjoyment of the people of ancient Sumeria.

Hymn to Ninkasi and beer drinking on  Cuneiform tablet

Hymn to Ninkasi 

Borne of the flowing water,
Tenderly cared for by the Ninhursag,
Tenderly cared for by the Ninhursag,
Borne of the flowing water,

Having founded your town by the sacred lake,
She finished its great walls for you,
Ninkasi, having founded your town by the sacred lake,
She finished it’s walls for you,

Your father is Enki, Lord Nidimmud,
Your mother is Ninti, the queen of the sacred lake.
Ninkasi, your father is Enki, Lord Nidimmud,
Your mother is Ninti, the queen of the sacred lake.

You are the one who handles the dough [and] with a big shovel,
Mixing in a pit, the bappir with sweet aromatics,
Ninkasi, you are the one who handles the dough [and] with a big shovel,
Mixing in a pit, the bappir with [date] – honey,

You are the one who bakes the bappir in the big oven,
Puts in order the piles of hulled grains,
Ninkasi, you are the one who bakes the bappir in the big oven,
Puts in order the piles of hulled grains,

You are the one who waters the malt set on the ground,
The noble dogs keep away even the potentates,
Ninkasi, you are the one who waters the malt set on the ground,
The noble dogs keep away even the potentates,

You are the one who soaks the malt in a jar,
The waves rise, the waves fall.
Ninkasi, you are the one who soaks the malt in a jar,
The waves rise, the waves fall.

You are the one who spreads the cooked mash on large reed mats,
Coolness overcomes,
Ninkasi, you are the one who spreads the cooked mash on large reed mats,
Coolness overcomes,

You are the one who holds with both hands the great sweet wort,
Brewing [it] with honey [and] wine
(You the sweet wort to the vessel)
Ninkasi, (…) (You the sweet wort to the vessel)

The filtering vat, which makes a pleasant sound,
You place appropriately on a large collector vat.
Ninkasi, the filtering vat, which makes a pleasant sound,
You place appropriately on a large collector vat.

When you pour out the filtered beer of the collector vat,
It is [like] the onrush of Tigris and Euphrates.
Ninkasi, you are the one who pours out the filtered beer of the collector vat,
It is [like] the onrush of Tigris and Euphrates.