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Articles and Products of History A History Of Picnic Baskets For The ConnoisseurWhat image does the term “picnic” bring to your mind? Is it a tasty meal that becomes part of an enjoyable outing? Does it bring to mind picturesque settings such as lush landscapes and blue lakes? No matter what picture your mind may envision, a history of picnic baskets quickly reveals that at the heart of the picnic is a meal that is delectable in appearance, tasty to the palate, but first and foremost portable for the participants. Additionally, this very same history of picnic baskets will quickly evidence the steady improvements made to the humble carrying case of such morsels. 14th century England saw the earliest recorded picnics, which were nothing more than pre-hunt feasts and the foods of choice were ham and pastries. It appears that 16th century France referred to a picnic when restaurant diners chose to eschew the house wine and instead furnished their own vintages for enjoyment at the meal. The 18th century saw the institution of the potluck picnic which allowed for the responsibility for the meal to be spread amongst a number of parties; of course, this also allowed for a number of different tastes and meal ideas to be presented. Hence, history recorded its first need for picnic baskets. After all, how else could all these delicacies be transported from kitchen to meadow? Naturally, the history of picnic baskets clearly shows that the proverbial wicker basket is a thing of the past, and the next generation baskets are here to stay. Many baskets these days still sport the traditional willow, but from there, some clear new avenues have been explored. The interior may be corduroy, or feature the red and white checked cloth so closely associated with outdoor eating, but the many accessories that routinely accompany this basket all but refuse to let it go into the murky depths of the history of picnic baskets without so much as an honorable mention. Whether it is a detachable wine duffel, or an included set of wine glasses and a corkscrew, these little baskets offer many amenities to keep the casual diner delighted, no matter what the content of the basket! Pictures of Different Types of Baskets
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