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Conversely, in The Odyssey, the famous sorceress Circe offers a different fate for Odysseus's crew. The intentions of her Kykeon are far more sinister, as she uses it to transform men into swine. Regardless of its outcomes in the stories, the core ingredients remain centered around barley, wine, goat cheese, and honey, which point to their importance in ancient Greek culture.

Understanding the Ingredients and Consistency

Kykeon derives its name from the verb kykāo, meaning "to churn or mix." This eludes to the drink’s potential texture—something akin to "drinkable soup." Eustathius of Thessaloniki illuminates this idea by suggesting that Kykeon straddles the line between food and drink.

To recreate Kykeon, you will need:

• ½ cup (100 grams) of barley meal