Pork politics and the Spanish Inquisition
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/06/pork-politics-and-the-spanish-inquisition Version 0 of 1. Spain’s “love affair with pork” (Jamón, jamón: Spanish PM ridiculed for mixing up his cured hams, 5 October) indeed dates back a long time, but this history isn’t all tapas and a nice rioja. During the 16th and 17th centuries, eating pork could be a matter of life and death. The Spanish Inquisition viewed diet as a good indication of religious belief; refusing pork was considered prima facie evidence of Jewish or Muslim identity. The detailed records of the Holy Office note many sad cases of individuals desperately trying to explain away why they declined a nice piece of ham offered by a neighbour by citing their delicate stomach or the fact that they’d already had dinner. Pedro Sánchez, the prime minister, may be under attack for his “serious error” of confusing jamón serrano with jamón ibérico, but it’s worth recalling that in past centuries much more than political reputation could be at stake when it came to pork.Professor Rebecca EarleUniversity of Warwick • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com • Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters • Do you have a photo you’d like to share with Guardian readers? Click here to upload it and we’ll publish the best submissions in the letters spread of our print edition Spain Europe Pedro Sánchez Pork Food Meat letters Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via Email Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on WhatsApp Share on Messenger Reuse this content |