Posted by Adam Quinan on April 21, 2001 at 12:30:00 from 24.112.32.14:
In Reply to: How to Keep foodstuffs cool posted by Ed Kiser on April 21, 2001 at 05:43:50:
Some basic thoughts. Firstly, English summers are not usually very hot so food doesn't spoil as quickly as it would in warmer climates. Secondly before refrigeration people used to shop much more frequently than just once a week. Thirdly my grandparent's house had a larder, a small, stone built room which was un-heated and had a small open window. It rarely went above 50-60 degrees F. This sufficed to keep, meat, and other perishables such as milk fresh for a number of days in summer and acted as a freezer in winter!