The Culinary Historians of Southern California presents a free, in-person lecture: “Drinks, Drinking, and Snacks in Early India” with professor, historian and author James McHugh on Saturday, November 9, 2024, 10:30 a.m., free, at the Los Angeles Central Library’s Mark Taper Auditorium, 630 W. Fifth St., LA, Calif. 90071.

A remarkable number of alcoholic drinks were available in early South Asia made from grains, fruit, sugarcane, palm sap, and also from the sweet mahua flower. Many drinks were complex brews of various sugar sources and herbs. Drinking was an innately social affair, whether this was lovers in private, drinking imported Persian wine from each other’s mouths, or the crowd of dancing, singing drinkers in an urban rice-beer tavern. Alcohol was almost always consumed along with salty spicy snacks for which we also have considerable evidence. In this talk, James McHugh introduces the drinks, snacks, and drinking cultures of ancient and medieval South Asia, based in his research on texts in Sanskrit and related languages.

The program is live, in person, and open to the public. A themed reception follows. 

 For more information, go to chsocal.org or info@chsocal.org. 

Reservations are requested; link at: “Drinks, Drinking, and Snacks in Early India” by James McHugh — Culinary Historians of Southern California

The presenter:

James McHugh studies the history and religions of early India. He completed his Ph.D. at Harvard University in 2008, and is now professor at the University of Southern California. His first book, Sandalwood and Carrion, explored the meanings of odors, perfumes, and aromatics in India. His latest book, An Unholy Brew: Alcohol in Indian History and Religions, is a study of alcohol, drinking, and abstinence in premodern South Asia.

Central Library parking: 524 South Flower Street Garage. Saturday $1 flat rate with validation (9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.). Take your parking ticket with you. Parking validation available at the library's Information Desk (first floor) by presenting a valid library card. Credit card or debit card payments can be made at the exit gates. Cash payments can only be made in machines at the P-1 level of the parking garage before returning to your car.

OUR NEXT TWO PROGRAMS – Save the dates: Two free, related lectures by CHSC president Charles Perry: Saturday, December 14, 2024, “Banquets of Istanbul,” 10:30 a.m., and Saturday, January 11, 2025, “Banquets of Marrakesh,” 10:30 a.m., both in person at the DTLA Central Library.