12 Strange Food Trends from the Past That Somehow Existed
People in the past had some strange food trends, from jelly-covered meat to radioactive bread, and somehow, they thought it was normal.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
History is filled with weird food trends that would shock people today. From putting everything in jelly to eating radioactive bread, people experimented with food in ways that now seem ridiculous. These trends remind us that just because something was popular doesn’t mean it was a good idea.
1. Jelly Meat
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There was a time when people thought everything looked better inside jelly. Meat, vegetables, eggs—if they fit in a mold, they got trapped in a wobbly layer of gelatin. This was especially popular in the 1950s when fancy cookbooks were filled with jelly-based meals. Today, most people agree that meat should not jiggle.
2. Arsenic Candy
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In the 1800s, bright green candy was all the rage, but there was a deadly secret—many of them contained arsenic. The toxic dye made the candy look more appealing, but it also poisoned people. Some even died before laws were put in place to stop this dangerous practice. Turns out candy should be sweet, not deadly.
3. Radium Bread
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At one point, people believed radiation was good for the body, so they made radium-infused bread. They thought eating it would boost health and energy, but in reality, it was slowly poisoning them. It took years before scientists confirmed that radiation and food don’t mix. Thankfully, this glowing loaf is now just a bad memory.
4. Ketchup Medicine
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In the 1830s, doctors sold ketchup to cure stomach problems and even baldness. People took ketchup pills, believing they could heal all kinds of illnesses. Eventually, the trend faded when real medicine proved to be more effective. Now, ketchup is back where it belongs—on fries and burgers.
5. Meat Ice Cream
Alpha on Wikimedia Commons
In the past, people experimented with ice cream flavors like beef and oyster. They believed mixing sweet and savory made for a fancy treat. Instead, it often tasted like frozen dinner leftovers. Thankfully, this trend melted away, leaving us with flavors that actually belong in ice cream.
6. Toast Water
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Doctors once recommended drinking toast water, made by soaking burnt bread in water, for stomach issues. It was a common home remedy, even though it tasted terrible and didn’t really help. People drank it for years, convinced it was good for them. Now, people just take actual medicine instead.
7. Candied Flowers
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Sugary flowers were a fancy treat in the past, especially among rich people. While they looked beautiful, they often tasted like perfume. Some people enjoyed them, but many found the floral taste overwhelming. These days, flowers are mostly used for decoration, not dessert.
8. Banana Mayo Sandwich
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Somehow, people thought putting mayonnaise on bananas made a great sandwich. This odd combination became popular in certain parts of the U.S. and still has some loyal fans today. The mix of sweet and creamy left many people confused. Most of us agree that bananas and mayo should stay far apart.
9. Turtle Soup
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Turtle soup was once a popular and expensive dish, especially in Europe and the U.S. People believed it was a luxury meal, so turtles were hunted in large numbers. The dish became so popular that turtles nearly went extinct. Today, most people prefer to protect turtles rather than eat them.
10. Gold Food
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Rich people in the past loved eating gold, believing it had health benefits. Gold-covered meat, drinks, and desserts were common among the wealthy people. In reality, gold does nothing for your health except make your food look expensive. Now, it’s mostly used for decoration, not nutrition.
11. Vinegar Pie
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During hard times, people made a pie using vinegar instead of lemons. It was meant to taste like lemon pie, but it had a sharp, sour flavor that wasn’t quite the same. It was a survival food, not a treat people actually wanted. Thankfully, lemons are now easy to find, so vinegar pie is mostly forgotten.
12. Whale Meat
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Whale meat was once a common food in many countries, especially during times of war. People ate it in soups, stews, and even as steak. The taste was strong and fishy, making it an acquired taste. Today, whale hunting is banned in most places, and the meat is no longer a common dish.