 Compared to meat, fish was much more expensive for inland populations, especially in Central Europe, and therefore not an option for most.Freshwater fish such as pike, carp, bream, perch, lamprey and trout were common.While in modern times, water is often drunk with a meal, in the Middle Ages, however, concerns over purity, medical recommendations and its low prestige value made it less favored, and alcoholic beverages were preferred.