Unlocking the Secret of QR Alchemy at St Eugène Vinegar

Our St. Eugene Vinegar QR code involves a symbol that is millennia old. Since early Roman times (509 BCE), the stylized cross in the centre of our QR was used as the alchemy symbol for “acetum”, or, as we call it today, vinegar.

Throughout written history, this Cross of Jerusalem symbol advertised a strongly flavoured liquid made from soured wine. The most popular was posca (Greek epoxos)– a dilute vinegar beverage – the Gatorade of the Roman Army – a favoured daily ration for Roman legionnaires far and wide. Posca came in various flavors from salty to strongly spiced with cumin, anise or thyme. Ancient literature tells of Emperor Hadrian (360 AD) when visiting the frontier, showed solidarity with the troops by merrily consuming posca. Posca is famously mentioned in three Christian gospels; Matthew 27:48, Mark 15:36 and John 19:29. At the crucifixion, the Roman soldier provided Jesus Christ a sponge soaked in posca to ease his suffering or as a gesture of mercy.

Scultpture of an ancient Greek warrior

Despite the widespread consumption of posca within the Roman empire, no authenticated recipes have ever been discovered.

Gwynn Guilford’s 2022 article “My Favorite Beverage is a 2,000 year Old Energy Drink from Ancient Rome” proposes two recipes: combine 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar and 1 Tbsp honey in a cup of water, mix and enjoy. Or, for the more refined palate add spices e.g. 1 tsp crushed coriander, boil then strain the brew.

Vinegar’s antibacterial and antiseptic properties were well known in Roman times. At meal time, vinegar helped protect against common food and water-borne pathogens e.g. E. coli and Salmonella (Yagnik et al, 2018). Further, diluted vinegar was also used to treated infected wounds and burns suffered on the battlefield (Halstead 2015).

Look for the QR code with the cross and find - if you're seeking to enjoy the rich culinary, medical and spiritual history of vinegar.

Ian and Jeff, St Eugène Vinegar alchemists

References

Guilford, Gwynn (2022); My favorite beverage is a 2,000 year old energy drink from ancient Rome. Quartz: Lifestyle

Halstead F.D., M. Raul, N.S. Moiemen (2015) The antibacterial activity of acetic acid against biofilm-producing pathogens of relevance to burn patients. PLoS 2015 10/9 doi 10.1371

Yagnik D., V. Serafin and A.J. Shah (2018) Antimicrobial activity of apple cider vinegar against E. coli, S. aureus and Candida albicans; downregulating cytokine and microbial protein expression. Sci. Reports 8: 1732