COLANDER
The idea of a colander is one that will be familiar to most of us, be it for draining potatoes, pasta or vegetables or for cleaning fruit and vegetables. In Roman times they may have served a similar purpose in the preparation of meals. However, colanders in the Roman era also had another purpose as a step in preparing alcoholic beverages. These beverages could have been made from either imported wine or locally produced beer and would have been flavoured with all kinds of spices, herbs and other flavourings. The liquid would first be infused with herbs or spices and then strained with a colander to remove them before drinking. One Roman example from Alchester shows the consumption of wine flavoured with celery.
Colander found during early excavations of the Ambleside Roman fort
Kindred Spirits shop in Ambleside
Colander found during early excavations of the Ambleside Roman fort
Both beer and wine were common in Roman forts. Alcohol was safer to drink than water, so it was consumed as part of the soldiers’ daily diet; it was even provided to them as part of their rations. A shopping list written on a wooden writing tablet found at Vindolanda on Hadrian’s Wall records the supply of Italian wine and local beer to the commanding officer’s residence, possibly for a religious festival. Another writing tablet records a letter from an officer out on patrol, saying that his men have run out of beer and asking for more to be sent! The wine and beer have not survived, but these records, along with objects like the colander, give us an insight into the drinking practices of the military communities of Roman Britain.
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Carry on walking along to the end of Compston Road until you reach White Platts Recreation Ground, where you might see people playing mini golf or other games. This park is the next location on the trail. The walking time is approximately two-three minutes.