This was the most popular Spartan dish which was part of the Spartan 'messes'. SYSSITIA was the famous black broth. It was a thin stew made of pork, blood, salt, and vinegar.

Plutarch tells about how in order to sample this dish a king of Pontus bought a Laconian cook. When served the black broth he did not find it to his liking. The cook told him, "King, this soup should only be taken after a dip in the Eurotas." Even though Sparta was never keen on hydrotherapy. They were not at all fond of baths.