A few words on a certain sweet sauce, or on dietetics and "materia medica in De observatione ciborum" by Anthimus

The article analyses reading of the fragment …in dulci piper habente, parum cariofili et gingiber, costum et spicam nardi vel folium included in chapter 13 of De observatione ciborum by a Byzantine doctor Anthimus. The author attempts to reconstruct (on the basis of topical culinary, agronomic and encyclopaedic literature) the technology employed in preparing of the said sauce, and claims (having analysed culinary and medical sources) that the term folium used in the recipe denotes tejpat (Cinnamomum tamala [Buch.-Ham.] T. Nees & Eberm). The research leads to the conclusion that Anthimus’ literary advice is based on his in-depth medical knowledge, which not only included a theory borrowed from a number of authorities but also resulted from his personal therapeutic experience.