The Truth Behind Hillbilly History

The Truth Behind Hillbilly History

Aimee Heidelberg - June 5, 2023

The Truth Behind Hillbilly History
Honey was a popular sweetener in Appalachia. Tony Webster (2018, CC 2.0).

Hillbilly Food Was Different Than Southern Cuisine

Depictions of hillbilly culture have been loved (Beverly Hillbillies) and reviled (Deliverance). But the food of the region is definitely beloved, as it has made its way into the high-culture, inner city restaurants around the nation. The theme of Appalachian hillbilly cooking is to use what you have, and find a way to make it last. The food uses traditions passed down from their Celtic heritage. It had to sustain people all year long. The cuisine has a high fat and protein content, but historically this was necessary to keep them full and energized through the hard work day. While Appalachian food is considered a subset of southern cuisine, one key difference is the sweetener. Appalachian food uses locally available sweeteners, as shipping refined sugar into the region was expensive. Appalachian cooks used honey, sorghum, or syrup instead.

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