How did Roman Catholic and Protestant teachings about the Eucharist differ during the Reformation?

During the Reformation, the primary point of contention regarding the Eucharist was the Roman Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation. This teaching holds that while the appearance of the bread and wine remains unchanged, their actual substance is transformed into the body and blood of Christ during the mass.123

All Protestant Reformers rejected transubstantiation, viewing it as a medieval theological development not supported by Scripture. However, they were deeply divided on what replaced it:423

• Martin Luther rejected the idea that a priest could perform a miracle to alter the substance of the elements. Instead, he taught that Christ is physically present "in, with, and under" the bread and wine. This view, often called consubstantiation, maintained a belief in the real presence of Christ.254
• Huldrych Zwingli argued that the bread and wine were symbols that merely represented Christ’s body and blood. He interpreted Christ’s words as "signifies" rather than "is," emphasizing the spiritual presence of Christ to the believer rather than a physical presence in the elements.435
• John Calvin held a mediating position, teaching a "real but spiritual presence" of Christ that occurs in the sacramental action rather than within the physical elements themselves.56