Ep 7. Bustling Bent's Fort

In the Season 12 Episode 7 of A Taste of History, titled Bustling Bent's Fort, viewers are taken on a journey through one of America's most iconic forts located in what is now known as Colorado. Host Walter Staib brings to life the rich history of this fort by exploring its architecture, fortifications, and daily life during its bustling times.

Staib begins the episode by giving us a glimpse of the food enjoyed by those who lived at Bent's Fort, which served as a hub for traders, trappers, and the U.S government during the early 1800s. He explains that the location of the fort and its vast trading network had a significant impact on the types of ingredients used in their food. The episode then takes us on a tour of the fort's reconstruction, displaying its well-maintined premises and showing the different rooms with their decorated walls.

As Staib explores the food culture of the Western Frontier, he also demonstrates the cooking techniques and tools used to prepare the meals. He shows us an authentic recipe from the fort's period, making sure to use only the ingredients that would have been available at the time. Viewers get to witness the process of preparing a meal just as it would have been done over 200 years ago.

The show also delves into how the fort's inhabitants would have managed to preserve the food, in order to keep it from spoiling quickly. He highlights the importance of spices and herbs in the flavoring of dishes as well as for preservation purposes. This episode showcases the ingenuity required to create such vibrant dishes with just a few basic ingredients.

While food takes up a significant portion of the episode, Staib highlights the significant role the fort played in shaping politics and trade relations with native tribes during that era. Furthermore, viewers get to learn about the various jobs held by those living within the fort, including blacksmiths, traders, and soldiers. The show offers an in-depth look at the daily life at the fort and teaches us how this historical site contributed to the development of America's Western Frontier.

The episode ends with Staib's team putting on a demonstration of blacksmithing, showing the importance of this trade in frontier life. This final segment highlights the skill required to produce the horseshoes, weapons, and tools used by the fort's inhabitants, further deepening our understanding of the challenges they faced during that period.

Bustling Bent's Fort is a fascinating episode of A Taste of History that showcases the lesser-known history of America's Western Frontier, which is brought to life through its vibrant culinary culture. Staib brings to the forefront the role food played in building communities, and viewers get to witness the ingenuity required to create gourmet meals with such basic ingredients. This episode is a must-watch for any history and culinary enthusiasts looking to learn about America's history from a unique perspective.