Food & Drink · 2

Posca, the daily drink rationed to Roman soldiers, was primarily made by diluting which fermented substance with water?

Answer

Sour wine

Posca combined water with sour, vinegar-like wine derived from fermented grape waste, providing soldiers with a cheap, shelf-stable source of hydration and calories.

💡 Did you know?

Ancient Roman soldiers received a daily ration of sour wine mixed with water called posca—essentially fermented grape waste—as their standard beverage and energy source.

Other options people guess

  • Fermented barley beer
  • Fermented mare's milk
  • Fermented honey mead

Topics

  • ancient-rome
  • fermentation
  • history
  • military

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