Food and Beverages (2024)

Many different types of food and drink are mentioned throughout The Chronicles of Narnia. For the most part, Narnians appear to eat very well: Long lists of delicacies are seen throughout the series, and descriptions of meals, both simple and elaborate, are common features as well.

As a plot device[]

Aside from adding imagery to the stories, these extensive descriptions of food and drink sometimes serve another purpose; they help to contextualize the scene in which they appear. The specific types of foods mentioned, their quality and quantity, which characters consume them, and even how they are presented and served often reflect some aspect of the larger picture.

Displaying diversity of creatures[]

The many creatures and species of Narnia favored different types of foods according to their nature. For example, the tree people consumed numerous varieties of earth and soil, as opposed to foods favored by the more "humanoid" types of creatures.^[1] For breakfast, centaurs had to consume foods that satisfied both their man-stomachs (porridge, cooked meats, and toasted bread) and their horse-stomach (grass, raw oats, and sugar).^[2]

Highlighting differences between regions[]

Shasta's experiences in and around Tashbaan showcased the richness and variety of Calormene cuisine, featuring a host of exotic foods rarely seen in other regions of the world- lobsters, melons, rice, and unique desserts.^[3][4]

At Aslan's Table on the Island of Ramandu, some of the more unique delicacies included turkeys, salmon, pineapples, and tomatoes.^[5]

Reflecting circ*mstances and situations[]

When characters were in the middle of difficult situations, or in the presence of evil, the food in these scenes tended to be spartan and/or low in quality: When Edmund is at the White Witch's castle, he expected Turkish Delight, but was served only water and dry bread^[6]; when Jill, Eustace and Puddleglum were taken hostage by the gnomes in Underland, they were fed bland, tasteless cakes^[7]; and when Jill and Eustace first took refugee with King Tirian, the only food available was porridge made from crumbled biscuits.^[8]

By contrast, when a victory had been achieved or a mission had been completed, the food served afterwards was typically delicious. After defeating the Telmarines, the Old Narnians were treated to an especially lavish feast, which included meats, fruits, and many different kinds of wine.^[1]

Notable food moments[]

The Magician's Nephew[]

• While on a mission for Aslan, Diggory Kirke and Polly Plummer buried a piece of toffee in the ground.^[9] Since the newly-created world of Narnia was seething with life energy, the piece of candy grew into a tree, which bore fruits similar in appearance to dates but with a taste that reminded the children of toffee.^[10]

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe[]

• While taking tea with Mr. Tumnus, Lucy Pevensie is served a lightly boiled egg, toast with three different toppings (sardines, butter, and honey), and sugar-topped cake.^[11]
• Upon meeting the White Witch for the first time, Edmund was served a "hot drink" that tasted "sweet and foamy and creamy", along with an entire box of Turkish Delight, all conjured by magic. Both foods were addictive, ^[12]
• In their house atop the dam, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver prepared a hearty home-cooked meal for the Pevensie children: fried fish, boiled potatoes, bread, milk, beer (only for Mr. Beaver), marmalade roll, and tea.^[13]

The Horse and His Boy[]

• After escaping from his cruel, adoptive father Arsheesh on the talking horse named Bree, Shasta found the best breakfast he had ever eaten in Bree's saddlebags: a meat pasty, dried figs, green cheese, and a flask of wine.^[14]
• While in Tashbann, Shasta was mistaken for Prince Corin of Archenland and brought back to the lodgings of the Narnian diplomatic mission, where he enjoyed the finest food Calormen had to offer: lobsters; salad; snipe stuffed with almonds and truffles; a rice dish made with chicken livers, raisins, and nuts; melons, mulberry and gooseberry fools; many dishes made with ice; and a flagon of white wine.^[3]
• After crossing the mountains into Narnia, Shasta is served breakfast by a groups of dwarfs and has his fist taste of Narnian cuisine - porridge (with cream), bacon, eggs, mushrooms, buttered toast, and coffee.

Prince Caspian[]

• While sheltering in the ruins of Cair Paravel, the Pevensies sustained themselves primarily on apples from the overgrown orchard. These also become their main food supplies^[5] as they journeyed into the heart of Narnia.
  • After scaring off two Telmarine soldiers and rescuing Trumpkin the dwarf, they were able to use the soldiers' abandoned rowboat and fishing implements to catch pavenders (a rainbow-colored fish), and roasted them over an open fire.
• After the Telmarines were defeated in battle, Bacchus, Silenus, and the Maenads performed a dance around a huge bonfire, which brought into existence a celebratory feast: roasted meats, wheat cakes, oat cakes, honey, sugars and creams in many different colors, all kinds of fruit (peaches, nectarines, pomegranates, pears, grapes, strawberries, raspberries), and several varieties of wine (dark red and thick, bright red and clear, yellow, green, yellowish-green and greenish-yellow).^[1]

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader[]

• After surviving a brutal storm at sea and landing on Dragon Island, the crew of the Dawn Treader enjoyed a meal of roasted goat and strong wine of Archenland.
• After removing the spell of invisibility cast upon the Dufflepuds, Lucy is treated to and English-style lunch by Coriakin the magician - an omelet, cold lamb, peas, strawberry ice, lemon squash (to drink), and a cup of hot chocolate.
• Upon arriving on Ramandu's Island, the crew of the Dawn Treader discovered a lavish feast laid out on Aslan's Table: several kinds of fowl (turkeys, geese, peaco*cks), boar's heads, venison, pies shaped like animals and ships, ice puddings, lobsters, salmon, nuts, fruits (grapes, pineapples, peaches, pomegranates, melons, tomatoes), and wine.

The Silver Chair[]

• On their first evening in Narnia, Eustace Scrubb and Jill Pole attended a feast at Cair Paravel. The foods served included soups, pavenders, venison, peaco*cks, pies, ices, jellies, fruits, nuts, and many kinds of wine and other fruit drinks.^[15]
• Upon arriving at Harfang, the castle of the gentle giants, Jill enjoyed a meal of co*ck-a-leekie soup, roasted turkey, steamed pudding, roasted chestnuts, and fruit.^[16]
• While in the Deep Realm, Eustace, Jill, and Puddleglum the Marshwiggle are treated to a meal by the still-enchated Prince Rilian: pigeon pie, cold ham, salad, and cakes.^[17]
• After escaping the Deep Realm, the four heroes are treated to a lavish supper, by a gathering of dwarfs and other woodland creatures: fried sausages, hot chocolate, roast potatoes, roasted chestnuts, baked apples stuffed with raisins, and ices.^[2]

The Last Battle[]

• After Poggin joined the small group headed by King Tirian, heborrowed Jill's bow and hunted some wood pigeons, which he cooked with the wild herbfensey into a delicious stew.
• Uponentering the Stable (i.e. Aslan's Country) and encountering the Seven Friends of Narnia, King Tirian and his new compatriots come upon a grove of fruit trees whose produce puts all Earthly foods to shame.^[18]

Citations[]