The Llibre de Sent Soví (Book of Sent Soví) is one of the oldest cookery manuscripts in the world and describes the dishes that were cooked in the countries of Catalan language and culture during the Middle Ages.
It is written clearly and demonstrates a very characteristic cooking style, that of a prosperous country with strong Mediterranean trade that provided it with spices.
The Book of Sent Soví is an important sample of medieval cooking in the west, showcasing the Catalan gastronomic tradition, the origin of what is today called “Mediterranean Cuisine”.
The book describes a very different culinary environment from today’s, where wood fires were used to spit roast or make stews with pots hung over them: it takes us on a voyage to a subtle world of smells and tastes. It portrays a refined and sophisticated cuisine which is full of nuances. Specialists indicate that it was among Catalans of this time that forks were first used to hold down meat before cutting it up.