Where did marinades originate from?

Answer 1

Origin of the Word Marinade

However, originally, marinades were really just salt water, which helped to preserve the meat or fish, and of course, imparted flavor though the salt. sometimes, sea water was used, or aqua marina. It was sea water which led to the word marinade, which derives ultimately from the Latin word for the sea, mare. We also get the words marine, and maritime from this root. The verb form of the word marinate, actually appeared in English in the early 17th century, earlier than the noun marinade, which did not appear until the early 18th century. Some sources contend that the word may not have originated directly from the sea water connection but via the French word mariner or the Italian word marinare. The French mariner means "to pickle," and the Italian marinare means "to marinate." Both these word, however, refer to similar practices, since the primary purpose was to preserve or pickle. No further cooking was necessarily done. Gradually, the picking or preserving process was changed to a flavoring and tenderizing process.

So what is the most surprising fact about marinades? The more people try to debunk myths, the more myths are created and most everything you read about marinades except "they deliver flavor" is basically a myth.

Answer 2

Marinades and sauces both rose out of middle ages French cooking. With no refrigeration, spoilage was common, and to hide the bad flavor, different flavors were added.