Published: 22 August 2024
Six years after the immense success of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland“, Lewis Carroll returns with a new tale titled “Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There“.
Published in 1871, this children’s novel continues to explore Alice’s symbolic journey from childhood to adulthood, as she embarks on yet another fantastical adventure in Wonderland.
As always, themes of nonsense, language, and identity run through the pages. But still, the whimsical foods of Wonderland remain some of the most loved parts of this cherished book series.
So, without further ado, here’s a look at the foods and drinks found in Lewis Carroll’s children’s novel Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There.
Did you know? Lewis Carroll was the pen name of Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, a reserved mathematics professor at Christ Church, Oxford.
Milk
Just like in “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”, “Through the Looking-Glass” features milk very early in the story. However, in the sequel, the saucer of milk isn’t for Dinah but for her feisty little kittens, one of whom Alice ends up arguing with.
“Number two: you pulled Snowdrop away by the tail just as I had put down the saucer of milk before her! What, you were thirsty, were you? How do you know she wasn’t thirsty too? “– Chapter 1 (Looking-Glass House).
How silly indeed, to fuss and fight, Like teaching a teacup to sing just right! For in the end, it’s plain to see, The kitten wins with a purr and a plea.
” ‘How would you like to live in Looking-glass House, Kitty? I wonder if they’d give you milk in there? Perhaps Looking-glass milk isn’t good to drink – But oh, Kitty! now we come to the passage. “– Chapter 1 (Looking-Glass House).
Biscuits
It doesn’t take an athlete to know that a biscuit is far from thirst-quenching after a run in the garden! But then again, who would want to anger the Red Queen?
” ‘I know what YOU’D like!’ the Queen said good-naturedly, taking a little box out of her pocket. “Have a biscuit?’ Alice thought it would not be civil to say ‘No,’ though it wasn’t at all what she wanted. So she took it, and ate it as well as she could: and it was VERY dry; and she thought she had never been so nearly choked in all her life.“– Chapter 2 (The Garden of Live Flowers).
Although we aren’t told what type of biscuit Alice was given, we might imagine it to be a classic British variety on the dry side—perhaps a Hobnob, a Rich Tea, or simply a Digestive.
” ‘At the end of two yards,’ she said, putting in a peg to mark the distance, ‘I shall give you your directions – have another biscuit?’ ‘No, thank you,’ said Alice: ‘one’s QUITE enough!’ ‘Thirst quenched, I hope?’ said the Queen. Alice did not know what to say to this, but luckily the Queen did not wait for an answer, but went on.”– Chapter 2 (The Garden of Live Flowers).
Honey
In chapter 3, we are introduced to honey elephants. They must be quite a sight! What a wondrous world Wonderland is…
“‘Principal towns – why, what ARE those creatures, making honey down there? They can’t be bees – nobody ever saw bees a mile off, you know -‘ and for some time she stood silent, watching one of them that was bustling about among the flowers, poling its proboscis into them, ‘just as if it was a regular bee,’ thought Alice. However, this was anything but a regular bee: in fact it was an elephant – as Alice soon found out, though the idea quite took her breath away at first. “– Chapter 3 (Looking-Glass Insects).
Honey is also mentioned in Chapter 8 when the Knight discusses his box with Alice while hanging it on a tree.
” ‘Can you guess why I did that?’ he said to Alice. Alice shook her head. ‘In hopes some bees may make a nest in it – then I should get the honey.‘ “– Chapter 8 (‘It’s My Own Invention’ ).
Plum-Pudding & Raisin in Brandy
Believe it or not, these traditional British favorites are actually terms used to describe the head and body of an insect called the snap-dragon-fly. Who knew that talking to a gnat could be so educational?
” ‘Look on the branch above your head,’ said the Gnat, ‘and there you’ll find a snap-dragon-fly. Its body is made of plum-pudding, its wings of holly-leaves, and its head is a raisin burning in brandy.” “– Chapter 3 (Looking-Glass Insects).
In Chapter 8, plum-cake reappears in the discussion between the White Knight and Alice as they prepare to travel together to the end of the wood.
” ‘What’s the dish for?’ ‘It’s meant for plum-cake,’ said Alice. ‘We’d better take it with us,’ the Knight said. ‘It’ll come in handy if we find any plum-cake. Help me to get it into this bag.’ “– Chapter 8 (‘It’s My Own Invention’ ).
Did you know? Plum-pudding, also known as Christmas pudding, is a steamed dessert made with suet, dried fruits, and spices. Despite its name, this beloved British treat doesn’t actually contain any plums. This is because, until the 18th century, ‘plum’ was synonymous with raisins, currants, and other dried fruits.
Unfortunately for Alice, the plum-pudding is off-limits in Chapter 9 due to proper (or rather nonsensical) etiquette.
” ‘I won’t be introduced to the pudding, please,’ Alice said rather hastily, ‘or we shall get no dinner at all. May I give you some?’ But the Red Queen looked sulky, and growled ‘Pudding – Alice; Alice – Pudding. Remove the pudding!’ and the waiters took it away so quickly that Alice couldn’t return its bow. “– Chapter 9 (Queen Alice).
But Alice isn’t one to give up on her dessert so easily!
” However, she didn’t see why the Red Queen should be the only one to give orders, so, as an experiment, she called out ‘Waiter! Bring back the pudding!’ and there it was again in a moment like a conjuring-trick. It was so large that she couldn’t help feeling a LITTLE shy with it, as she had been with the mutton; however, she conquered her shyness by a great effort and cut a slice and handed it to the Red Queen. “– Chapter 9 (Queen Alice).
That being said, a proper pudding could never bear such a preposterous farce.
“‘What impertinence!’ said the Pudding. ‘I wonder how you’d like it, if I were to cut a slice out of YOU, you creature!’ It spoke in a thick, suety sort of voice, and Alice hadn’t a word to say in reply: she could only sit and look at it and gasp.”– Chapter 9 (Queen Alice).
Carrots
While the White Knight dreams of honey and plum-cake, the Knight’s horse most likely dreams of the crunchy, orange carrots kept on the bag hung to the saddle.
” ‘There are so many candlesticks in the bag.’ And he hung it to the saddle, which was already loaded with bunches of carrots, and fire-irons, and many other things. “– Chapter 8 (‘It’s My Own Invention’ ).
Frumenty & Mince Pie
What do snap-dragon-flies eat, you wonder? Well, frumenty and mince pie, of course!
Frumenty, derived from the Latin word for grain, is a medieval wheat porridge traditionally served with both sweet and savory dishes, such as venison, beef, or game, and flavored with raisins, currants, prunes, wine, and spices. It is also considered an early version of Christmas pudding.
The irony here is that the snap-dragon-fly, made of plum pudding, eats frumenty, which is an ancestor of plum pudding. Similarly, the mince pies it consumes are filled with dried fruit in spiced brandy sauce, while its head is a raisin burning in brandy. Conclusion? You really are what you eat!
” ‘And what does it live on?’ ‘Frumenty and mince pie,‘ the Gnat replied; ‘and it makes its nest in a Christmas box.’ “– Chapter 3 (Looking-Glass Insects).
Bread-and-Butter(fly) & Sugar
In Wonderland, food often serves as a metaphor for various themes and ideas. The bread-and-butterflies, in particular, are thought to symbolize the lower classes. Bread and butter are staple foods for those who cannot afford more luxurious items like meat. Additionally, the phrase ‘to earn one’s bread and butter’ refers to earning a living, which highlights the financial status of an individual.
” ‘Crawling at your feet,’ said the Gnat (Alice drew her feet back in some alarm), ‘you may observe a Bread-and-Butterfly. Its wings are thin slices of Bread-and-butter, its body is a crust, and its head is a lump of sugar.‘ “– Chapter 3 (Looking-Glass Insects).
Bread and butter are also mentioned in chapter 5 when Alice encounters the White Queen.
” The White Queen only looked at her in a helpless frightened sort of way, and kept repeating something in a whisper to herself that sounded like ‘bread-and-butter, bread-and-butter,‘ and Alice felt that if there was to be any conversation at all, she must manage it herself.”– Chapter 5 (Wool and Water).
In Chapter 7, bread and butter are enjoyed with a cup of tea by Hatta, one of the King’s messengers, while he watches the battle between the Lion and the Unicorn.
” They placed themselves close to where Hatta, the other messenger, was standing watching the fight, with a cup of tea in one hand and a piece of bread-and-butter in the other.“– Chapter 7 (The Lion and the Unicorn).
The combo of bread and butter also reappear in Chapter 8 when the White Knight sings a song about an aged man who caught butterflies to make mutton pies to sell to sailors.
” ‘I sell them unto men,’ he said, ‘Who sail on stormy seas; And that’s the way I get my bread – A trifle, if you please.’ “– Chapter 8 (‘It’s My Own Invention’ ).
And, in chapter 9, we are introduced to bread divisions. What do you get when you divide a loaf by a knife?
” ‘She can’t do Subtraction,’ said the White Queen. ‘Can you do Division? Divide a loaf by a knife- what’s the answer to that?’ ‘I suppose -‘ Alice was beginning, but the Red Queen answered for her. ‘Bread -and-butter, of course.‘ “– Chapter 9 (Queen Alice).
Speaking of bread, is it made of flour or flower? All this nonsensical talk is certainly making Alice dizzy…
” ‘Can you answer useful questions?’ she said. ‘How is bread made?’ ‘I know THAT!’ Alice cried eagerly. ‘You take some flour -‘ ‘Where do you pick the flower?’ the White Queen asked. ‘In a garden, or in the hedges?’ ‘Well, it isn’t PICKED at all,’ Alice explained: ‘it’s GROUND -‘ ‘How many acres of ground?’ said the White Queen. ‘You mustn’t leave out so many things.’ ‘Fan her head!’ the Red Queen anxiously interrupted. ‘She’ll be feverish after so much thinking.’ “– Chapter 9 (Queen Alice).
Oysters
Oysters are packed with vitamin B12, zinc, and omega-3s, making them a nutritional powerhouse—hard to resist, especially for a walrus!
” ‘O Oysters, come and walk with us!‘ The Walrus did beseech. ‘A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk, Along the briny beach: We cannot do with more than four, To give a hand to each.’ “– Chapter 4 (Tweedledum and Tweedledee).
” But four young oysters hurried up, All eager for the treat: Their coats were brushed, their face washed, Their shoes were clean and neat — And this was odd, because, you know, They hadn’t any feet. “– Chapter 4 (Tweedledum and Tweedledee).
” The Carpenter said nothing but ‘The butter’s spread too thick!‘ ‘I weep for you,’ the Walrus said. ‘I deeply sympathize.’ With sobs and tears he sorted out Those of the largest size. Holding his pocket handkerchief Before his streaming eyes. ‘O Oysters,’ said the Carpenter. ‘You’ve had a pleasant run! Shall we be trotting home again?’ But answer came there none – And that was scarcely odd, because They’d eaten every one.‘ “– Chapter 4 (Tweedledum and Tweedledee).
Oysters are also mentioned in chapter 12, when Alice is reunited with Kitty and reminisces about ‘The Walrus and the Carpenter.’
” ‘To-morrow morning you shall have a real treat. All the time you’re eating your breakfast, I’ll repeat ‘The Walrus and the Carpenter”, to you; and then you can make believe it’s oysters, dear! “– Chapter 12 (Which Dreamed It?).
As for the oyster-shells, they’re usually tossed aside—probably ending up in a Wonderland prison. What a tough sentence!
” ‘He’s only just out of prison, and he hadn’t finished his tea when he was sent in,’ Haigha whispered to Alice: ‘and they only give them oyster-shells in there – so you see he’s very hungry and thirsty.'”– Chapter 7 (The Lion and the Unicorn).
Bread, Pepper & Vinegar
In chapter 4, bread, pepper and vinegar are the items of choice for the oysters and the walrus in the poem “The Walrus And The Carpenter”.
” ‘A loaf of bread,’ the Walrus said, ‘Is what we chiefly need: Pepper and vinegar besides Are very good indeed – Now if you’re ready Oysters dear, We can begin to feed.’ “– Chapter 4 (Tweedledum and Tweedledee).
White Bread, Brown Bread & Plum-Cake
Did you know? Both the lion and the unicorn appear on the UK coat of arms. The lion represents England, while the unicorn symbolizes Scotland. Both can also be seen on the British passport.
In Chapter 7, Alice mentions bread and cake while reciting the traditional nursery rhyme “The Lion and the Unicorn”.
” ”The Lion and the Unicorn were fighting for the crown: The Lion beat the Unicorn all round the town. Some gave them white bread, some gave them brown; Some gave them plum-cake and drummed them out of town.‘ “– Chapter 7 (The Lion and the Unicorn).
” There was a pause in the fight just then, and the Lion and the Unicorn sat down, panting, while the king called out ‘Ten minutes allowed for refreshments!’ Haigha and Hatta set to work at once, carrying rough trays of white and brown bread. Alice took a piece to taste, but it was VERY dry. “– Chapter 7 (The Lion and the Unicorn).
Who would choose brown bread over plum cake? Definitely not a unicorn!
” ‘Come, fetch out the plum-cake, old man!’ the Unicorn went on, turning from her to the King. ‘None of your brown bread for me!‘ “– Chapter 7 (The Lion and the Unicorn).
” Haigha took a large cake out of the bag, and gave it to Alice to hold, while he got out a dish and carving-knife. How they all came out of it Alice couldn’t guess. It was just like a conjuring-trick, she thought.”– Chapter 7 (The Lion and the Unicorn).
Chapter 7 also uncovers the secrets to cutting a looking-glass cake—it’s trickier than it seems!
” ‘I’ve cut several slices already, but they always join on again!’ ‘You don’t know how to manage Looking-glass cakes,’ the Unicorn remarked. ‘Hand it round first, and cut it afterwards.‘ This sounded nonsense, but Alice very obediently got up, and carried the dish round, and the cake divided itself into three pieces as she did so. ‘NOW cut it up,’ said the Lion, as she returned to her place with the empty dish.”– Chapter 7 (The Lion and the Unicorn).
” ‘She’s kept none for herself, anyhow,’ said the Lion. ‘Do you like plum-cake, Monster?‘ But before Alice could answer him, the drums began.”– Chapter 7 (The Lion and the Unicorn).
Weak Tea with Cream
Nothing beats a nice cup of tea with some bread and butter. However, weak tea (also known as ‘gnat’s piss’) is quite a hot topic. Some find it as disappointing as a weak handshake, while others enjoy its mild flavor, which leaves plenty of room for milk or cream. Whatever your preference, I recommend we keep calm and brew on!
” ‘And what does IT live on?’ ‘Weak tea with cream in it.’ “– Chapter 3 (Looking-Glass Insects).
Mulberries
In chapter 4, a mulberry bush is mentioned during Alice’s encounter with Tweedledee and Tweedledum.
Did you know? Mulberries are a great source of vitamin C and iron. Although non-heme iron in fruits and vegetables is less easily absorbed by our bodies compared to heme iron from meat and fish, vitamin C helps improve the absorption of this plant-based iron.
” ‘But it certainly WAS funny,’ (Alice said afterwards, when she was telling her sister the history of all this,) ‘to find myself singing ‘HERE WE GO ROUND THE MULBERRY BUSH.’ I don’t know when I began it, but somehow I felt as if I’d been singing it a long long time!’ “– Chapter 4 (Tweedledum and Tweedledee).
Cabbages
Cabbages and Kings? What an odd combination… But then again, it IS a poem. And Alice IS in wonderland.
Did you know? This quirky phrase has inspired many, from the American writer O. Henry for his novel “Cabbages and Kings” to the 1967 album “Of Cabbages and Kings” by English folk rock duo Chad & Jeremy.
” ‘The time has come,’ the Walrus said, ‘To talk of many things: Of shoes – and ships – and sealing wax – Of cabbages – and kings – And why the sea is boiling hot – And whether pigs have wings.’ “– Chapter 4 (Tweedledum and Tweedledee).
Jam
In Chapter 5, when Alice helps the White Queen adjust her attire, she learns of the curious rule: ‘jam to-morrow and jam yesterday—but never jam to-day.’ This raises an intriguing question: does anyone ever actually get to try the jam?
Did you know? During the Victorian Era, jam was a staple of afternoon tea for the upper class, typically enjoyed with clotted cream on scones.
” ‘I’m sure I’ll take you with pleasure!’ the Queen said. ‘Twopence a week, and jam every other day.’ Alice couldn’t help laughing, as she said, ‘I don’t want you to hire ME – and I don’t care for jam.’ ‘It’s very good jam,’ said the Queen. ‘Well, I don’t want any TODAY, at any rate.’ ‘You couldn’t have it if you DID want it,’ the Queen said. ‘The rule is, jam to-morrow and jam yesterday – but never jam to-day.’ ‘It MUST come sometimes to ‘jam to-day,’ Alice objected. ‘No, it can’t,’ said the Queen. ‘It’s jam every OTHER day: to-day isn’t any OTHER day, you know.’ “– Chapter 5 (Wool and Water).
Crab
In Chapter 5, while rowing along a river, Alice gets excited when the Sheep talks about “catching a crab.” However, there are no crabs in the river. Rather, in this context, “catching a crab” is a rowing term for making a mistake by keeping the oar underwater too long.
” ‘Feather! Feather!’ the Sheep cried again, taking more needles. ‘You’ll be catching a crab directly.’ ‘A dear little crab!’ thought Alice. ‘I should like that.’ ‘Didn’t you hear me say ‘Feather’?’ the Sheep cried angrily, taking up quite a bunch of needles. ‘Indeed I did,’ said Alice: ‘you’ve said it very often – and very loud. Please, where ARE the crabs?‘ “– Chapter 5 (Wool and Water).
“ ‘That was a nice crab you caught!’ she remarked, as Alice got back into her place, very much relieved to find herself still in the boat. ‘Was it? I didn’t see it,’ said Alice peeping cautiously over the side of the boat into the dark water. ‘I wish it hadn’t let go – I should so like to see a little crab to take home with me!’ But the Sheep only laughed scornfully, and went on with her knitting. ‘Are there many crabs here?’ said Alice. ‘Crabs, and all sorts of things,’ said the Sheep: ‘plenty of choice, only make up your mind. Now, what Do you want to buy?’ “– Chapter 5 (Wool and Water).
Crabs, along with buttered rolls, are mentioned in chapter 8 when the aged man in the White Knight’s song explains how he makes a living.
” ‘I sometimes dig for buttered rolls, Or set limed twigs for crabs; I sometimes search the grassy knolls For wheels of Hansom-cabs.’ “– Chapter 8 (‘It’s My Own Invention’ ).
Eggs
In chapter 5, Alice is suddenly transported to a shop where she finds herself buying eggs after rowing along the river. Great post-workout snack!
“ ‘I should like to buy an egg, please,’ she said timidly. ‘How do you sell them?’ ‘Fivepence farthing for one – Twopence for two,’ the Sheep replied. ‘Then two are cheaper than one?’ Alice said in a surprised tone, taking out her purse. ‘Only you MUST eat them both, if you buy two,’ said the Sheep. “– Chapter 5 (Wool and Water).
” The Sheep took the money, and put it away in a box: then she said ‘ I never put things into people’s hands – that would never do – you must get it for yourself.’ And so saying, she went off to the other end of the shop, and set the egg upright on a shelf. “– Chapter 5 (Wool and Water).
” ‘I wonder WHY it wouldn’t do?’ thought Alice, as she groped her way among the tables and chairs, for the shop was very dark towards the end. ‘The egg seems to get further away the more I walk towards it. Let me see, is this a chair? Why, it’s got branches, I declare! How very odd to find trees growing here!’ “– Chapter 5 (Wool and Water).
But soon, things take an odd turn, and Alice finds herself face-to-face with the largest egg she’s ever seen.
” However, the egg only got larger and larger, and more and more human: when she had come within a few yards of it, she saw that it had eyes and a nose and mouth; and when she had come close to it, she saw clearly that it was HUMPTY DUMPTY himself. “– Chapter 6 (Humpty Dumpty).
Being called an egg might not be flattering for most, but then again, we are talking about Humpty Dumpty…
” ‘It’s VERY provoking,’ Humpty Dumpty said after a long silence, looking away from Alice as he spoke, ‘to be called an egg – VERY!’ ‘I said you LOOKED like an egg, Sir,’ Alice gently explained. ‘And some eggs are very pretty, you know’ she added, hoping to turn her remark into a sort of a compliment. “– Chapter 6 (Humpty Dumpty).
Cheese
In Chapter 6, the poem “Jabberwocky” introduces the mysterious toves, whose favorite food is, of course, cheese! Toves are said to be “something like badgers – they’re something like lizards – and they’re something like corkscrews.”
“‘They must be very curious looking creatures.’ ‘They are that,’ said Humpty Dumpty: ‘also they make their nests under sundials – also they live on cheese.’ “– Chapter 6 (Humpty Dumpty).
Ham Sandwiches & Hay
Ham sandwiches remain a popular lunch choice across the UK, enjoyed by both kids and adults. Ham is often paired with cheese or mustard and is also a favorite filling for toasties.
Both ham sandwiches and hay are mentioned in Chapter 7 during Alice’s conversation with the King.
” ‘I love my love with an H,’ Alice couldn’t help beginning, ‘because he is Happy. I hate him with an H, because he is Hideous. I fed him with – with- with Ham-sandwiches and Hay. His name is Haigha, and he live -‘ “– Chapter 7 (The Lion and the Unicorn).
” ‘You alarm me!’ said the King. ‘I feel faint – Give me a ham sandwich!’ On which the Messenger, to Alice’s great amusement, opened a bag that hung round his neck, and handed a sandwich to the King, who devoured it greedily.”– Chapter 7 (The Lion and the Unicorn).
Did you know? Hay is technically edible for humans, though it can upset the stomach since we don’t digest it well. However, there’s a cooking method involving hay called haybox cooking. This traditional technique uses a special insulated box to retain heat and cook food slowly.
” ‘Another sandwich!’ said the King. ‘There’s nothing but hay left now,’ the Messenger said, peeping into the bag. ‘Hay, then,’ the King murmured in a faint whisper. Alice was glad to see that it revived him a good deal. ‘There’s nothing like eating hay when you’re faint,’ he remarked to her, as he munched away.”– Chapter 7 (The Lion and the Unicorn).
Sandwiches are also mentioned in chapter 8 after the White Knight fights off the Red Knight.
” ‘I see you’re admiring my little box.’ the Knight said in a friendly tone. “It’s my own invention – to keep clothes and sandwiches in. You see I carry it upside-down, so that the rain can’t get in.’ “– Chapter 8 (‘It’s My Own Invention’ ).
Soup
Have you ever compared wind to soup? Quite poetic, no?
” ‘You see the wind is so VERY strong here. It’s as strong as soup.‘ “– Chapter 8 (‘It’s My Own Invention’ ).
In Chapter 9, soup and fish are mentioned, although we don’t know which kind of soup. Could it be peppery or even turtle soup like in the prequel?
” At last the Red Queen began. ‘You’ve missed the soup and fish,’ she said. “– Chapter 9 (Queen Alice).
Speaking of fish, it seems like they are quite popular in Wonderland poetry!
” ‘Do you know why they’re so fond of fishes, all about here?’ She spoke to the Red Queen, whose answer was a little wide of the mark ‘As to fishes,’ she said, very slowly and solemnly, putting her mouth close to Alice’s ear, ‘her White Majesty knows a lovely riddle – all in poetry – all about fishes. Shall she repeat it?’ “– Chapter 9 (Queen Alice).
” ‘First, the fish must be caught.‘ That is easy: a baby, I think, could have caught it. ‘Next, the fish must be bought.’ That is easy: a penny, I think, would have bought it. ‘Now cook me the fish!‘ That is easy, and will not take more than a minute. ‘Let it lie in a dish!’ That is easy, because it already is in it.”– Chapter 9 (Queen Alice).
Sugar Loaf
Until the late 19th century, sugar was produced and sold in the form of sugar loaves, before the introduction of granulated sugar and sugar cubes. These tall, cone-shaped loaves could be quite striking. It’s easy to imagine how dramatic the White Knight would look wearing his favorite sugar loaf helmet!
” The Knight looked down proudly at his helmet, which hung from the saddle. ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘but I’ve invented a better one than that – like a sugar loaf. When I used to wear it, if I fell off the horse, it always touched the ground directly. So I had a VERY little way to fall, you see – But there WAS the danger of falling INTO it, to be sure. “– Chapter 8 (‘It’s My Own Invention’ ).
Pudding
In the UK, ‘pudding’ can refer to both sweet and savory dishes, whereas in the US, pudding typically means a sweet dessert similar to what Brits would call custard. That being said, in Wonderland, some puddings never actually make it out of the kitchen…
“ ‘Now the cleverest thing of the sort that I ever did,’ he went on after a pause, ‘was inventing a new pudding during the meat -course.‘ ‘In time to have it cooked for the next course?’ said Alice. ‘Well, not the NEXT course,’ the Knight said in a slow thoughtful tone: ‘no, certainly not the next COURSE. ‘Then it would have to be the next day. I suppose you wouldn’t have two pudding-courses in one dinner?’ ‘Well, not the NEXT day, the Knight repeated as before: ‘not the next DAY. In fact,’ he went on, holding his head down, and his voice getting lower and lower, ‘I don’t believe that pudding ever WAS cooked! In fact, I don’t believe that pudding ever WILL be cooked. And yet it was a very clever pudding to invent.‘ “– Chapter 8 (‘It’s My Own Invention’ ).
A pudding with gunpowder, sealing wax, and blotting paper? Maybe this pudding is best left unmade.
” ‘What did you mean it to be made of?’ Alice asked, hoping to cheer him up, for the poor Knight seemed quite low-spirited about it. ‘It began with blotting paper,’ the Knight answered with a groan. ‘That wouldn’t be very nice, I’m afraid – ‘ ‘Not very nice ALONE,’ he interrupted, quite eagerly: ‘but you’ve no idea what a difference it makes mixing it with other things – such as gunpowder and sealing wax.‘ “– Chapter 8 (‘It’s My Own Invention’ ).
Mutton pies
Also known as Scotch pies, mutton pies are a traditional Scottish dish. While beef is now the most popular filling for meat pies, mutton was once favored for its affordability and availability.
Mutton pies are mentioned in Chapter 8 in the ballad the White Knight sings to Alice as they reach the end of the wood.
” ‘He said ‘I look for butterflies The sleep among the wheat: I make them into mutton-pies And sell them in the street.”– Chapter 8 (‘It’s My Own Invention’ ).
Dough
How does one sound with a mouth full of dough? Surely, quite amusingly!
” ‘With eyes , like cinders, all aglow, Who seemed distracted with his woe, Who rocked his body to and fro, And muttered mumblingly and low, As if his mouth were full of dough, Who snorted like a buffalo -‘ “– Chapter 8 (‘It’s My Own Invention’ ).
Bran, Coffee & Tea
Chapter 9 features a delightfully absurd menu of cat coffee and mouse tea. As for the table, it is decorated with buttons and bran! How grand!
” ‘Then fill up the glasses as quick as you can, And sprinkle the table with buttons and bran: Put cats in the coffee, and mice in the tea – And welcome Queen Alice with thirty-times-three!’ “– Chapter 9 (Queen Alice).
” ‘O Looking-Glass creatures,’ quothe Alice, ‘draw near! ‘Tis an honour to see me, a favour to hear: ‘Tis a privilege high to have dinner and tea Along with the Red Queen, the White Queen, and me!‘ “– Chapter 9 (Queen Alice).
Treacle, Cider & Wine
Known as the British version of molasses, treacle appears in both “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking-Glass”. This dark syrup is used in a variety of different baked goods, ranging from tarts and fruit cakes to sticky toffee pudding and even some breads. It is also used to make savoury items such as glazed ham.
Did you know? Before the 1600s, treacle was actually used as a medicinal remedy. It was believed to be beneficial for the blood and was commonly included in antidotes for poisons.
In chapter 9, treacle is mentioned alongside cider and wine.
” ‘Then fill up the glasses with treacle and ink, Or anything else that is pleasant to drink: Mix sand with the cider, and wool with the wine – And welcome Queen Alice with ninety-times-nine!'”– Chapter 9 (Queen Alice).
Wine is also mentioned in chapter 8 as a way to wash away rust from the Menai Bridge, which spans the gap between the island of Anglesey and the mainland of Wales.
Did you know? The Menai Bridge, completed in 1826, was the world’s first major suspension bridge.
” ‘ I heard him then, for I had just Completed my design To keep the Menai bridge from rust By boiling it in wine.’ “– Chapter 8 (‘It’s My Own Invention’ ).
Wine, Roast Mutton With Gravy & Soup
In chapter 9, wine is served with roast mutton and gravy as Alice tries to solve the White Queen’s riddle.
” ‘Meanwhile, we’ll drink your health – Queen Alice’s health!’ she screamed at the top of her voice, and all the guests began drinking it directly, and very queerly they managed it: some of them put their glasses upon their heads like extinguishers, and drank all that trickled down their faces – others upset the decanters, and drank the wine as it ran off the edges of the table – and three of them (who looked like kangaroos) scrambled into the dish of roast mutton, and began eagerly lapping up the gravy, ‘just like pigs in a trough!’ thought Alice.”– Chapter 9 (Queen Alice).
As things quickly start to shift, soup and leg of mutton are also mentioned.
” At this moment she heard a hoarse laugh at her side, and turned to see what was the matter with the White Queen; but, instead of the Queen, there was the leg of mutton sitting in the chair. ‘Here I am!’ cried a voice from the soup tureen, and Alice turned again, just in time to see the Queen’s broad good-natured face grinning at her for a moment over the edge of the tureen, before she disappeared into the soup.”– Chapter 9 (Queen Alice).
Leg of Mutton
In chapter 9, Alice is invited to a feast featuring leg of mutton and pudding. Perfectly carving a joint is sure to impress your guests, but for a seven-year-old, it can be quite a daunting task, don’t you think?
” ‘Put on the joint.’ And the waiters set a leg of mutton before Alice, who looked at it rather anxiously, as she had never had to carve a joint before.“– Chapter 9 (Queen Alice).
Wonderland etiquette 101: Do not carve the mutton leg you’ve been formerly introduced to!
” ‘You look a little shy; let me introduce you to that leg of mutton,’ said the Red Queen. ‘Alice – Mutton; Mutton – Alice.’ The leg of mutton got up in the dish and made a little bow to Alice; and Alice returned the bow, not knowing whether to be frightened or amused.“– Chapter 9 (Queen Alice).
In conclusion, if you want to eat, keep your bows for after the meal.
“‘ ‘May I give you a slice?’ she said, taking up the knife and fork, and looking from one Queen to the other. ‘Certainly not,’ the Red Queen said, very decidedly: ‘it isn’t etiquette to cut any one you’ve been introduced to. Remove the joint!’ And the waiters carried it off, and brought a large plum-pudding in its place. “– Chapter 9 (Queen Alice).
Wow, this is great as usual! Thanks so much! I hope you can do more, please
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed! I will definitely be doing more of these in the future.