Food ~ The History of Taste ~ Written by leading food historians in England, Belgium, France, Germany, Canada and the USA ~ Edited by Paul Freedman

This book is the first to apply the discoveries of the new generation of food historians worldwide to the unashamedly romantic appeal of the subject: to the culinary accomplishments of diverse civilizations, past and present, and to the pleasures of dining. The result is truly a history of taste: our most elevated, elegant and pleasurable thoughts about food – ingredients, preparation, presentation – since prehistory.

Why did Europeans, whose cuisine had been highly spiced since the Roman Empire, completely lose their love of spice since the nineteenth century? How did the introduction of coffee and chocolate change European habits and international commerce? What were the origins of the subtle, spohisticated and varied food customs created in the Arabian desert? How did France’s grand cuisine take over the world? When and where did restaurants originate? And what should we make of the glorious eclecticism of today’s taste?

Here you will find Zhang Dai’s lOvingly recorded memories of the crabs, clams and junket enjoyed in china before the fall of the ming; the first celebrity chefs in the classical world; how sugar from the West Indies profoundly changed European taste; meals recalled by proust in detail – far more interesting than the mere madeleine; and how two journalists discovered nouvelle cuisine.

This book is unique in that it is organised by what people thought was good and how food was part of distinctive societies. It is profusely illustrated with works of art that can truly be called mouth-watering. From beginning to end these pages provide an enthralling and richly illustrated story of one of the most vital clues not just to what keeps us alive, but to what makes us feel alive.

Food ~ The History of Taste ~ Written by leading food historians in England, Belgium, France, Germany, Canada and the USA.

Food: The History of Taste (Hardcover)
by Paul Freedman (Editor)

Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd (5 Nov 2007)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0500251355
ISBN-13: 978-0500251355

Paul Freedman is Professor of Historv at Yale and a former Chairman of the Department of History there