Published: 20 May 2024
Disclaimer: All images used in this article are the intellectual property of Studio Ghibli and are available for free personal use “within the bounds of common sense”.
First published in 1986, “Howl’s Moving Castle” is a beloved fantasy novel penned by British author Diana Wynne Jones. Once described by Neil Gaiman as “the best children’s writer of the last forty years,” Jones takes readers on a magical adventure filled with wit, romance, and wonder.
The book follows the story of Sophie Hatter, the eldest of three sisters, who works in a hat shop in Market Chipping. Her quiet life takes a dramatic turn when the Wicked Witch of the Waste curses her, transforming her into an old woman. Determined to break the spell, Sophie seeks out the elusive wizard Howl and his moving castle.
The novel’s captivating blend of humor, magic, and heartfelt storytelling has firmly established it as a timeless classic.
With its lovable characters and colorful descriptions, it’s no surprise that the book eventually made its way to the big screen!
In 2004, the acclaimed Japanese film company Studio Ghibli released an enchanting animated adaptation of ‘Howl’s Moving Castle.’ The film was written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, one of the most celebrated filmmakers in animation, to whom we owe timeless classics such as ‘My Neighbor Totoro,’ ‘Princess Mononoke,’ and ‘Spirited Away.’
To this day, most people still refer to the iconic breakfast scene in “Howl’s Moving Castle” featuring the endearing fire demon, Calcifer. It’s a moment that perfectly captures the essence of Studio Ghibli’s storytelling—finding magic in the everyday. But, as we relish in its simplicity, it leaves us curious about what other food references can be found within the pages of the original book.
In this article, I will be exploring all of the foods and drinks that can be found in the 2010 edition of “Howl’s Moving Castle,” written by Diana Wynne Jones, published by Harper Collins Children’s Books, and illustrated by Tim Stevens.
Let’s dig in, shall we?
Did you know? In the animated adaptation, Sophie’s city was inspired by the charming town of Colmar in northeastern France.
Mrs. Fairfax’s Scones & Honey
In chapter 1, the three sisters are separated after their father’s death. While Lettie secures an apprenticeship at Cesari’s, a pastry shop in Market Chipping, Sophie remains at the hat shop with her stepmother Fanny. As for Martha, she finds employment at Mrs. Fairfax’s abode, where bees are kept and honey is prepped.
“A week later the carrier brought a letter from Martha to say that Martha had arrived safely and that Mrs Fairfax was ‘a great dear and uses honey with everything. She keeps bees.'”– Chapter One: In Which Sophie talks to hats
A little later, in chapter 8, scones are mentioned alongside honey as a welcoming snack for guests when Sophie and Michael visit Mrs. Fairfax’s residence.
“‘Oh, I thought the face looked familiar!” Mrs Fairfax exclaimed. “There’s quite a family likeness. Do come in. Lettie’s a little bit busy just now, but have some scones and honey while you wait.“”– Chapter Eight: In Which Sophie leaves the castle in several directions at once
“”Are you sure you won’t come in for a taste of my honey?” asked Mrs Fairfax. “I use it in nearly all my spells, you know.” And she was off again, this time about the magical properties of honey”– Chapter Eight: In Which Sophie leaves the castle in several directions at once
Bread & Honey on Busy Mornings
In chapter 15, Howl and his companions stick to a simple breakfast of bread and honey on the morning of Mrs. Pentstemmon’s funeral.
“Michael gave Calcifer a log. Sophie fed the dog-man. But neither of them dared do anything much else except stand around eating bread and honey for breakfast until Howl came out of the bathroom.“– Chapter Fifteen: In Which Howl goes to a funeral in disguise
“Howl conjured himself a black tissue and blew his nose on it. The window rattled. He picked up one of the sliced of bread and honey from the bench and beckoned the dog-man.”– Chapter Fifteen: In Which Howl goes to a funeral in disguise
“Sophie stopped tiptoeing towards the bathroom and watched Howl walk round the dog-man, eating bread and honey and blowing his nose by turns.”– Chapter Fifteen: In Which Howl goes to a funeral in disguise
And, in chapter 20, Michael sets out to get some bread and honey after a busy morning of making garlands for Midsummer Day.
“They were so long making the garlands that it was time to open the shop before they had finished. Michael fetched them bread and honey, and they ate while they dealt with the tremendous first rush of customers.“– Chapter Twenty: In Which Sophie finds further difficulties in leaving the castle
No Greens For the Mayor
In chapter 1, we learn about the Mayor’s disdain for green vegetables through whispers and gossip at the hat shop where Sophie works.
“Sophie sat in her alcove and stitched and heard that the Mayor never would eat green vegetables, and that Wizard Howl’s castle had moved round to the cliffs again, really that man, whisper, whisper, whisper… “– Chapter One: In Which Sophie talks to hats
Cesari’s Cream Cakes
Word of Lettie’s success at the pastry shop reaches Sophie’s ears in chapter 1. The cake business seems to be flourishing, with customers unable to get enough of Lettie’s talent and charm.
“Cesari’s, it seemed, was packed with gentlemen from morning to night, each one buying quantities of cakes and demanding to be served by Lettie. She had had ten proposals of marriage, ranging in quality from the Mayor’s son to the lad who swept the streets, and she had refused them all, saying she was too young to make up her mind yet.”– Chapter One: In Which Sophie talks to hats
When Sophie finally decides to pay Lettie a visit for some sisterly bonding, she finds a tempting array of cream cakes waiting for her.
“‘I shall buy one of their cream cakes,’ Sophie decided. ‘ haven’t had one for ages.'”– Chapter One: In Which Sophie talks to hats
“Lettie, prettier than ever and perhaps a little thinner, was putting cakes into bags as fast as she could go, giving each bag a deft little twist and looking back under her own elbow with a smile and an answer for each bag she twisted.”– Chapter One: In Which Sophie talks to hats
“When Sophie had edged through the flap, Lettie seized her wrist and dragged her into the back of the shop, to a room surrounded by rack upon wooden rack, each one filled with rows of cakes. Lettie pulled forward two stools. ‘Sit down,’ she said. She looked in the nearest rack, in an absent-minded way, and handed Sophie a cream cake out of it. ‘You may need this,’ she said. Sophie sank on to the stool, breathing the rich smell of cake and feeling a little tearful. ‘Oh, Lettie!’ she said. ‘I am so glad to see you!’ “– Chapter One: In Which Sophie talks to hats
Cake makes another appearance in chapter 2 when Sophie, stunned by the revelation of Martha and Lettie’s magical swap, absentmindedly devours an entire one.
“Sophie was so astonished that she finished her cake without noticing what kind it had been.”– Chapter Two: In Which Sophie is compelled to seek her fortune
Bread & Cheese for Any Occasion
After being cursed by the Witch of the Waste in chapter 2, Sophie gathers a few essentials from her home before setting off on an uncertain journey. You can’t go wrong with the basic bread and cheese, right?
“She hobbled to collect her shawl, and wrapped it over her head and shoulders, as old women did. Then she shuffled through into the house, where she collected her purse with a few coins in it and a parcel of bread and cheese.”– Chapter Two: In Which Sophie is compelled to seek her fortune
“She found a stick an hour or so later when she sat down on the bank to rest and eat her bread and cheese.”– Chapter Two: In Which Sophie is compelled to seek her fortune
Sophie’s encounter with the wild, grey dog during her snack break wasn’t exactly pleasant. But at least she got a walking stick out of it!
“‘Would you like some bread and cheese?‘ Sophie asked it then. But the dog just growled at her, forced its way out through the opposite side of the hedge, and slunk away. ‘There’s gratitude for you!’ Sophie said, rubbing her prickled arms. ‘But you left me a gift in spite of yourself.’ She pulled the stick that had trapped the dog out of the hedge and found it was a proper walking stick, well trimmed and tipped with iron. Sophie finished her bread and cheese and set off walking again.”– Chapter Two: In Which Sophie is compelled to seek her fortune
Bread and cheese are also mentioned in chapter 3 as a late-night snack for Michael, Howl’s apprentice, after a long day of work.
“She did not wake when Michael, sucking his burned fingers, put the spell aside for the night and fetched bread and cheese out of the closet.“– Chapter Three: In Which Sophie enters into a castle and a bargain
In fact, a loaf of bread can also serve as a quick to-go lunch for Michael on busy workdays.
“Sophie hobbled to drop another log into the grate. Then she set off to the door again. But here Michael came running downstairs and snatched the remains of a loaf off the bench as he ran to the door. ‘You don’t mind, do you?’ he said in an agitated way. ‘I’ll bring a fresh loaf when I come back.'”– Chapter Seven: In Which a scarecrow prevents Sophie from leaving the castle
In chapter 4, upon finally arriving at Howl’s mansion, Sophie finds herself greeted with nothing but bread and cheese. Talk about déjà vu!
“After only bread and cheese at lunchtime yesterday, she was ravenous. ‘Yes!’ she said, and when Michael went to the closet in the wall, she sprang up and peered over his shoulder to see what there was to eat. ‘I’m afraid there’s only bread and cheese,‘ Michael said rather stiffly.”– Chapter Four: In Which Sophie discovers several strange things
In chapter 9, bread is featured in the story of how Michael found refuge with Howl after losing both his parents.
“‘But everyone said his house had devils in it, so I slept on his doorstep for a couple of nights until Howl opened the door one morning on his way to buy bread and I fell inside. So he said I could wait indoors while he got something to eat. I went in, and there was Calcifer, and I started talking to him because I’d never met a demon before.'”– Chapter Nine: In Which Michael has trouble with a spell
Finally, bread and cheese make a reappearance in this chapter when Sophie and Michael take a break from their spellwork to grab some food.
“‘Let’s have supper,’ said Sophie. They ate bread and cheese, still staring into distance.”– Chapter Nine: In Which Michael has trouble with a spell
Did you know? The author’s idea for Sophie blossomed after she unexpectedly discovered a severe milk allergy, which nearly caused her to lose the use of her legs and required her to walk with a stick.
A Withered Turnip Face
When Sophie ventures into the hedge in chapter 2, she stumbles upon a scarecrow on a stick with a withered turnip for a face. It seems even the humblest of vegetables are on grand adventures!
“Sophie heaved the thing upright. It had a withered turnip for a face. Sophie found she had some fellow feeling for it.”– Chapter Two: In Which Sophie is compelled to seek her fortune
The scarecrow makes multiple appearances throughout the book, including a notable one in chapter 20, as Sophie prepares to leave the castle.
“Sophie looked at the turnip face and the fluttering rags. It was not so frightening after all. She had once had fellow feeling for it. She rather suspected that she had just made it into a convenient excuse for not leaving the castle because she had really wanted to stay. Now there was no point. Sophie had to leave anyway: Howl preferred Miss Angorian. ‘Please come in,’ she said, a little croakily.”– Chapter Twenty: In Which Sophie finds further difficulties in leaving the castle
Strings of Onions, Bunches of Herbs & Bundles of Strange Roots
When Sophie enters Howl’s moving castle for the first time in chapter 3, she encounters a variety of peculiar and magical items mixed in with roots and herbs of all sorts.
“Sophie looked round at what she could see beyond the boy. There were a number of probably wizardly things hanging from the beams – strings of onions, bunches of herbs and bundles of strange roots. There were also definitely wizardly things, like leather books, crooked bottles and an old, brown, grinning human skull.”– Chapter Three: In Which Sophie enters into a castle and a bargain
The onions eventually come in handy in chapter 7 when Sophie starts chopping them for supper.
“She felt cheerful enough to busy herself getting supper. She bundled everything on the bench into a heap round the skull at one end and began chopping onions. ‘At least your eyes don’t water, my friend,’ she told the skull. ‘Count your blessings.'”– Chapter Seven: In Which a scarecrow prevents Sophie from leaving the castle
Breakfast with Eggs, Bacon & A Hot Beverage
Cheese and bread for breakfast? Not with Sophie around! In chapter 4, the spirited woman steps in and whips up a generous spread with bacon and eggs for everyone.
“‘But there’s a whole basket of eggs in there!’ Sophie said. ‘And isn’t that bacon? What about a hot drink as well? Where’s your kettle?‘ ‘There isn’t one,’ Michael said. ‘Howl’s the only one who can cook.’ ‘I can cook,’ said Sophie. ‘Unhook that frying pan and I’ll show you.'”– Chapter Four: In Which Sophie discovers several strange things
“She wrenched the pan from Michael’s resisting fingers, plonked the bacon into it, popped a handy wooden spoon into the egg basket, and marched with the lot to the fireplace.”– Chapter Four: In Which Sophie discovers several strange things
Though it took a minute, Sophie’s determination eventually pays off when Calcifer reluctantly lends his flames for the breakfast preparation.
“‘I hope your bacon burns,’ Calcifer said muffled under the pan. Sophie slapped slices of bacon into the pan. It was good and hot. The bacon sizzled, and she had to wrap her skirt round her hand to hold the handle. The door opened, but she did not notice because of the sizzling. ‘Don’t be silly,’ she told Calcifer. ‘And hold still because I want to break in the eggs.'”– Chapter Four: In Which Sophie discovers several strange things
But upon Howl’s return, Sophie is abruptly pushed aside, left to merely observe as Howl takes charge of the cooking.
“The smell of hyacinths mixed with the smell of bacon as he shoved Sophie firmly aside. ‘Calcifer doesn’t like anyone but me to cook on him,’ he said, kneeling down and wrapping one trailing sleeve round his hand to hold the pan. ‘Pass me two more sliced of bacon and six eggs, please, and tell me why you’ve come here.‘”– Chapter Four: In Which Sophie discovers several strange things
Throughout the book, we are also reminded of Calcifer’s fiery appetite. From leftovers to eggshells, he devours them all. Who would’ve thought a fire demon could be so environmentally-friendly?
“‘Why I came, young man?’ she said. It was obvious after what she had seen of the castle. ‘I came because I’m your new cleaning lady, of course.’ ‘Are you indeed?’ Howl said, cracking the eggs one-handed and tossing the shells among the logs, where Calcifer seemed to be eating them with a lot of snarling and gobbling.“– Chapter Four: In Which Sophie discovers several strange things
“‘Oh, shut up!’ snapped Sophie. ‘I put everything back just where I found it!’ She was so cross that she emptied the pan of eggs and bacon over Calcifer. Calcifer, of course, ate them with enormous enthusiasm and much flaring and gobbling.“– Chapter Six: In Which Howl expresses his feelings with green slime
Restocking Cakes, Jam & Lettuce
As Sophie embarks on a massive cleaning spree in the castle in chapter 5, the once-dreary atmosphere gradually transforms into a somewhat brighter and more inviting space. Even the once-neglected pantry begins to fill with an assortment of goodies!
“Every time Howl came in, Michael and Calcifer complained loudly about Sophie. But Howl did not seem to attend. Nor did he seem to notice the cleanliness. And nor did he notice that the food closet became very well stocked with caked and jam and the occasional lettuce.“– Chapter Five: Which is far too full of washing
Warm Milk for a Slimy Howl
After the slime catastrophe in chapter 6, Sophie prepares a warm mug of milk for Howl to cheer him up.
“She made Calcifer move over so that she could balance a pan of milk on the logs. When it was warm, she thrust a mugful into Howl’s hands. ‘Drink it,’ she said. ‘Now, what was all this fuss about? Is it this young lady you keep going to see?’ Howl sipped the milk dolefully. ‘Yes,’ he said.”– Chapter Six: In Which Howl expresses his feelings with green slime
But the sympathy quickly fades when Sophie realizes that Howl has been courting her sister, Lettie.
“Howl finished the milk and gazed into the mug with a sentimental smile. ‘I think of her all the time,’ he said. ‘Lovely, lovely Lettie Hatter.’.”– Chapter Six: In Which Howl expresses his feelings with green slime
A Loaf, A Pie & A Cake to Celebrate
In chapter 7, an overjoyed Michael returns to the castle with some baked goodies including a cake from Cesari’s to celebrate his joyous news.
“He burst jubilantly in. He dumped a loaf, a pie and a pink-and-white-stripped box on top of the onions.“– Chapter Seven: In Which a scarecrow prevents Sophie from leaving the castle
“‘I’ve loved her ever since she started work there, and I almost couldn’t believe it when she said she loved me. She has hundreds of admirers. I wouldn’t have been surprised if Howl was one of them. I’m so relieved! I got you a cake from Cesari’s to celebrate. Where did I put it? Oh, here it is.’ He thrust the pink and white box at Sophie. Onion fell off it into her lap.”– Chapter Seven: In Which a scarecrow prevents Sophie from leaving the castle
The cake concealed within the pink-and-white-stripped box reveals itself to be a delectable cream and cherry masterpiece, adorned with chocolate curls. Yum!
“The box came open. It was Cesari’s most luscious cake, covered in cream and cherries and little curls of chocolate. ‘Oh!’ said Sophie. The square knob over the door clicked round to red-blob-down of its own accord and Howl came in. ‘What a marvellous cake! My favourite kind,’ he said. ‘Where did you get it?'”– Chapter Seven: In Which a scarecrow prevents Sophie from leaving the castle
“‘I’ve heard Cesari’s is better than any of the cake shops in Kingsbury. Stupid of me never to have been in the place. And is that a pie I see on the bench?‘ He went over to look. ‘Pie in a bed of raw onions. Human skull looking put-upon.’ He picked up the skull and knocked an onion ring out of its eyesocket.”– Chapter Seven: In Which a scarecrow prevents Sophie from leaving the castle
Sadly, the pie ends up being eaten cold, as Calcifer, weary from his flight from the scarecrow, takes his time to recover.
“The food did seem to improve Howl’s temper, although he kept casting anxious looks at the unburning logs in the hearth all the time they were eating. The pie was good cold, and the onions were quite tasty when Sophie had soaked them in vinegar. The cake was superb.“– Chapter Seven: In Which a scarecrow prevents Sophie from leaving the castle
Pie is also mentioned in chapter 18 when Michael returns home to find Sophie in a terrible mood following her encounter with Miss Angorian.
“When Michael came merrily in with a large pie a minute later, Sophie gave him such a glare that Michael instantly remembered a spell Howl had asked him to make up and fled away through the broom cupboard.“– Chapter Eighteen: In Which the scarecrow and Miss Angorian reappear
Seaweed during Hard Times
Howl is known for his extravagant spending, which sometimes results in money being scarce and food becoming limited. That’s when seaweed steps in as a staple.
“‘And we ate seaweed. How says it’s good for you.’ ‘Nice stuff,’ murmured Calcifer. ‘Dry and crackly.'”– Chapter Nine: In Which Michael has trouble with a spell
Enchanted Beer
Seems like there’s a spell for just about everything, even enhancing the flavor of drinks.
“It was quite a busy day. Sophie had to put down her sewing and sell, with Calcifer’s help, a spell to unblock drains, another to fetch goats, and something to make good beer.”– Chapter Ten: In Which Calcifer promises Sophie a hint
Dueling with Cayenne Pepper
When a young man arrives unexpectedly at the doorstep in chapter 10, Sophie finds herself faced with a peculiar request—to assist him in preparing for an upcoming duel. Determined to help, she rummages through her collection of magical ingredients, searching for the perfect solution.
“She hobbled over to the shelves and scanned the jars. The red one labelled CAYENNE looked the most likely. Sophie poured a generous heap of it on a square of paper.“– Chapter Ten: In Which Calcifer promises Sophie a hint
Cheer up with Hot Buttered Toast
When Howl returns home disheartened from his audience with the King in chapter 10, Sophie heads straight to the kitchen to make some hot buttered toast.
“By now it was clear that Howl was in a mood to produce green slime any second. Sophie hurriedly put her sewing away. ‘I’ll make some hot buttered toast,’ she said.“– Chapter Ten: In Which Calcifer promises Sophie a hint
Peppercorn
Peppercorn is mentioned in chapter 12 when Mrs Pentstemmon expresses her concern for Howl’s future to Sophie.
“Her mouth quirked into a line, suggesting she had unexpectedly bitten on a peppercorn. ‘But I now see,’ she said, ‘what has happened to the Witch. She made a contract with a fire demon and, over the years, that demon has taken control of her.”– Chapter Twelve: In Which Sophie becomes Howl’s old mother
Cold Remedies with Lemon, Honey, Throat Pastilles & Willow Bark Tea
When Howl falls ill, he becomes quite needy, keeping poor Michael busy running up and down the stairs to tend to his needs. Fortunately, a dose of lemon and honey, throat pastilles, and willow bark tea usually does the trick.
“In the time it took Sophie to sew ten more blue triangles Michael ran upstairs with lemon and honey, with a particular book, with cough mixture, with a spoon to take the cough mixture with, and then with nose drops, throat pastilles, gargle, pen, paper, three more books, and an infusion of willow bark.“– Chapter Fourteen: In Which a Royal Wizard catches a cold
Bacon Sandwich
Bacon sandwiches are definitely not your typical sick food choice. But then again, Howl isn’t your typical patient.
“‘Michael,’ she said when Michael came rushing downstairs again because Howl fancied a bacon sandwich for lunch. ‘Michael, is there a way of making small clothes larger?’ ‘Oh, yes,’ said Michael. ‘That’s just what my new spell is – when I get a chance to work on it. He wants six slices of bacon in the sandwich. could you ask Calcifer?‘”– Chapter Fourteen: In Which a Royal Wizard catches a cold
“They had bacon sandwiches for lunch, but Michael had to rush upstairs in the middle of eating his. He came down with the news that Howl wanted him to go into Market Chipping now, to get some things he needed for moving the castle.”– Chapter Fourteen: In Which a Royal Wizard catches a cold
Brandy
In chapter 16, after a gruelling magic battle with the Witch of the Waste, Howl, still recovering from a cold, hastily takes refuge in his home and asks Sophie for a bottle of brandy.
“‘Sophie, for pity’s sake take off that horrible red beard and find the bottle of brandy in the closet – unless you’ve drunk it or turned it into turpentine, of course.’ Sophie took off her cloak and found the brandy and a glass. Howl drank one glass off as if it were water. Then he poured out a second glass, and instead of drinking it, he dripped it carefully on Calcifer. Calcifer flared and sizzled and seemed to revive a little. Howl poured a third glass and lay back sipping it.”– Chapter Sixteen: In Which there is a great deal of witchcraft
A Quick Bread & Sausage
Still recovering from the Witch of the Waste’s surprise attack, Howl and his companions take a moment to recuperate with bread and sausage.
“Howl lay sipping brandy while Michael found bread and sausage for them to eat. Food revived them all, except perhaps the dog-man, who seemed subdued now Howl was back after all. Calcifer began to burn up and look his usual blue self.”– Chapter Sixteen: In Which there is a great deal of witchcraft
Sausage is also mentioned in chapter 20 as a midday snack for the coachman and the footman as they patiently await Fanny to finish her heartfelt reunion with her daughters.
“Sophie explained, as far as she could. But fanny was so worried that Sophie had to turn the door orange-down and open it to show the mansion drive in a much greyer day, where the footman and Fanny’s coachman were sitting on the roof of the carriage eating cold sausage and playing cards.”– Chapter Twenty: In Which Sophie finds further difficulties in leaving the castle
A Family Reunion with Cold chicken, Wine & Honey Pudding
In chapter 20, Sophie finally reunites with her stepmother and sisters. This calls for a feast!
“Lettie was very fond of Percival. While Michael carried the hamper to the bench and unpacked cold chickens and wines and honey puddings from it, Lettie hung on to Percival’s arm in an ownerlike way that Sophie could not quite approve of, and made him tell her all that he remembered. Percival did not seem ot mind. Lettie looked so lovely that Sophie did not blame him.”– Chapter Twenty: In Which Sophie finds further difficulties in leaving the castle
“By this time everyone was milling about, eating chicken and sipping wine. Calcifer seemed to be shy. he had gone down to green flickers and nobody seemed to notice him. Sophie wanted him to meet Lettie. She tried to coax him out.”– Chapter Twenty: In Which Sophie finds further difficulties in leaving the castle
Even Miss Angorian is politely invited to join in on the festivities.
“Michael took things out of Sophie’s hands by greeting Miss Angorian with a beaming smile and a shout of welcome. ‘Howl’s asleep at the moment,’ he said. ‘Come and have a glass of wine while you wait.’ ‘How kind,’ said Miss Angorian. But it was plain that Miss Angorian was not happy. She refused wine and wandered nervously about, nibbling at a leg of chicken.”– Chapter Twenty: In Which Sophie finds further difficulties in leaving the castle
How many of these food references can be found in the animated movie?
Given all the foods mentioned in the book, it’s natural to be curious about which ones Studio Ghibli chose to feature in the animated movie. Shall we delve into that?
| Foods in the Animated Movie | Included in the book? | Additional comments |
| Sweet Treats at Cesari’s shop | Yes but… | …not just cakes. We also see chocolate éclairs in the film. |
| Bread and Cheese | Yes | Sophie’s provisions after being cursed and running away from home. |
| Turnip head | Yes | In the film we learn that Sophie has always hated turnips, ever since she was little. |
| Bread, cheese, eggs, sausage and bacon at Howl’s castle | Yes but… | …the film also shows a bunch of different fruits and vegetables including carrots, onions, pears and apples. At the messy dinner table, we also see a bunch of candies thrown around here and there. |
| Egg shells for Calcifer | Yes | – |
| Toast with salami and a light-red warm drink | No | After finishing her cleaning spree, grandma Sophie take a much needed picnic with Markl by a Cerulean blue lake. Au menu? What looks like toast with salami and a light-red warm drink. Maybe some sort of herbal tea? |
| Fruit and vegetable stands at the market + fresh fish | No | When grandma Sophie heads to the market with Markl, they encounter bountiful stands of fruits and vegetables, from oranges and potatoes to broccoli and carrots. The fishmonger’s stall is brimming with an array of fish. Markl even mentions his dislike for potatoes and fish. In the end, the duo returns home with nothing but a basket full of potatoes. |
| Warm cup of milk | Yes | To cheer up Howl during one of his depressive episodes. |
| Orange drink | No | Madame Suliman is offered an orange drink as her guards chase Howl. |
| Porridge | ? | After returning to Howl’s castle with the Witch of the Waste and Suliman’s dog, we observe Grandma Sophie feeding what appears to be some sort of porridge to the Witch of the Waste. Honey pudding maybe? |
Did you know? The English dub version of Howl’s Moving Castle includes stars like Christian Bale as the voice of Howl, Josh Hutcherson as Howl’s apprentice, Jean Simmons as grandma Sophie, Emily Mortimer as young Sophie and Billy Crystal as the fire demon Calcifer.
