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Path: utzoo!linus!security!genrad!grkermit!masscomp!clyde!ihnp4!houxm!mhuxl!mhuxv!pdt
From: pdt@mhuxv.UUCP (tyma)
Newsgroups: net.cooks
Subject: Lead poisoning and ancient Rome
Message-ID: <1162@mhuxv.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 19-Dec-83 15:51:03 EST
Article-I.D.: mhuxv.1162
Posted: Mon Dec 19 15:51:03 1983
Date-Received: Tue, 20-Dec-83 06:48:34 EST
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill
Lines: 11


I believe that recent studies on lead poisoning in ancient Rome
have centered on *winemaking* practices.  I myself have never
developed a taste for lead [ :-) ] but I understand that the presence
of dissolved lead salts lends a certain sweetness; this may have something
to do with the appeal of lead-paint flakes to the palates of inner-city kids.
Apparently the Romans found that boiling strong-tasting young wine improved its
flavor, but they almost always used lead or lead-containing pots
to do it.  The boiled (lead-contaminated) wine tasted better.

"In vino veritas..."