What does 'gustatio' translate to in Roman meals?

The term 'gustatio' in the context of Roman meals refer to the appetizer or the first course served during a banquet. In ancient Roman cuisine, the gustatio was designed to stimulate the appetite and typically included a variety of small dishes, such as olives, eggs, or seafood.

Understanding the structure of Roman meals provides insight into their culinary traditions. A typical Roman dinner, or cena, would often be divided into several courses, with the gustatio serving as an introduction to the meal. This course would precede the main course (known as the cena), which featured heartier dishes, and dessert (often referred to as secunda mensa), which would follow the main meal.

In this context, 'gustatio' serves a specific role in the overall dining experience, marking the beginning of the meal rather than following into other categories like main courses or desserts.