Food Culture

Wurgaft and White use vivid storytelling to bring food practices to life, weaving stories of Panamanian coffee growers, medieval women beer makers, and Japanese knife forgers. From the Venetian spice trade to the Columbian Exchange, from Roman garum to Vietnamese nuoc cham, Ways of Eating provides an absorbing account of world food history and anthropology. Migration, politics, and the dynamics of group identity all shape what we eat, and we can learn to trace these social forces from the plate to the kitchen, the factory, and the field.

#1 New York Times Bestseller "A useful and funny purse-sized manual that could easily replace all the diet books on your bookshelf." —Tara Parker-Pope, The New York Times A definitive compendium of food wisdom Eating doesn’t have to be so complicated. In this age of ever-more elaborate diets...

In Stolen Harvest: The Hijacking of the Global Food Supply, Vandana Shiva explores the devastating effects of commercial agriculture and genetic engineering on the food we eat, the farmers who grow it, and the soil that sustains it. This prescient critique and call to action covers some of the most pressing topics of this ongoing dialogue, from the destruction of local food cultures and the privatization of plant life, to unsustainable industrial fish farming and safety concerns about corporately engineered foods.

The true adventures of David Fairchild, a turn-of-the-century food explorer who traveled the globe and introduced diverse crops like avocados, mangoes, seedless grapes—and thousands more—to the American plate. “Fascinating.”—The New York Times Book Review “Fast-paced adventure...

Sourdough bread fueled the labor that built the Egyptian pyramids. The Roman Empire distributed free sourdough loaves to its citizens to maintain political stability. More recently, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, sourdough bread baking became a global phenomenon as people contended with being confined to their homes and sought distractions from their fear, uncertainty, and grief. In Sourdough Culture, environmental science professor Eric Pallant shows how throughout history, sourdough bread baking has always been about survival.

Cheese Trekking recounts the author’s experiences visiting pastoral communities and cheesemakers in various countries and explains how cheeses can be local manifestations while also representing global archetypes, strategies that have been adopted in many places. It describes the constellations (a range of complementary milk foods that utilize all byproducts of cheesemaking) of various regions through a wide-angle lens. The central premise is that milk has a terroir, born from the plants and ecology of a landscape, that is concentrated via ruminant digestion and lactation.

This step-by-step guide to explore Montenegro. You'll learn: how to get to Montenegro, where the Eagle meets the mountain, what is Wild Beauty, where is the sunniest city, why is Budva the pearl of Mediterranean, how to explore the most beautiful fjord in Europe, which city is Lonely Planet’s number one destination, where is Balkan Ibiza, why is Cetinje a city-museum, where is a Lake city of rock and blues, how to explore the modern capital, how to experience a mountain life, how to explore marvelous nature, and much more.

Embark on a captivating journey through Chile with our concise yet comprehensive Travel Guide. From the vibrant streets of Santiago to the surreal landscapes of Patagonia, this guide is your go-to companion for exploring the diverse wonders of this South American gem. Discover cultural insights, culinary delights, festivals, practical tips, and essential information to make your Chilean adventure seamless and unforgettable.

This Travel Guide is your comprehensive companion to exploring the diverse and enchanting landscapes of this European gem. From the medieval charm of cities like Krakow and Warsaw to the breathtaking beauty of the Tatra Mountains, this guide navigates you through the rich tapestry of Poland's history, culture, and natural wonders. Discover the architectural wonders of well-preserved Old Towns, delve into the poignant history of sites like Auschwitz, and savor the flavors of Polish cuisine.

“Tell me where you eat, what you eat, and at what time you eat, and I will tell you who you are.” This is the motto of Anka Muhlstein’s erudite and witty audiobook about the ways food and the art of the table feature in Honore de Balzac’s The Human Comedy.

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Portugal with our comprehensive travel guide, meticulously crafted to enhance every step of your adventure. Whether you're drawn to the historic charm of Lisbon, the sun-kissed beaches of the Algarve, or the picturesque vineyards of the Douro Valley, our guide is your trusted companion, offering invaluable insights and expert recommendations to help you make the most of your visit.

The Kingdom of Rye unearths the foods and flavors of the Russian land. Preeminent food studies scholar Darra Goldstein offers listeners a concise, engaging, and gorgeously crafted story of Russian cuisine and culture. This story demonstrates how national identity is revealed through food—and how people know who they are by what they eat together. The Kingdom of Rye examines the Russians' ingenuity in overcoming hunger, a difficult climate, and a history of political hardship while deciphering Russia's social structures from within.

Intuitive Eating Made Simple is an easy guide for anyone who wants to break free from restrictive diets and embrace a joyful, healthy relationship with food.

A compulsively readable novel of enormous charm swimming in the cuisine and culture of the Faroe Islands from the author of Girl, Interrupted. Jonathan Brand, a graduate student in anthropology, has decided to do his fieldwork in the remote Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic. But, despite his...

Named a Best Book of the Year by Entertainment Weekly, Vogue, Time, Esquire, BookPage, and more This darkly hilarious and “delicious new novel that ravishes with sex and food” (The Boston Globe) from the acclaimed author of The Pisces and So Sad Today is a “precise blend of desire...

For most Americans in the 19th century, it wasn't what you ate, but how much you ate, that mattered. Late in the century, doctors wrote books like How To Be Plumb and the voluptuous woman was the ideal. The famed actress Lillian Russell, considered by many the epitome of beauty, weighed almost 200 pounds. Today, in contrast, Americans seem obsessed with calories, diets and slimness, and with eating healthful amounts of vitamins, minerals, fats, and proteins. What sparked this remarkable revolution in the way we eat.

In Food, Genes, and Culture, renowned ethnobotanist Gary Nabhan shows why the perfect diet for one person could be disastrous for another. If your ancestors were herders in Northern Europe, milk might well provide you with important nutrients, whereas if you’re Native American, you have a higher likelihood of lactose intolerance. If your roots lie in the Greek islands, the acclaimed Mediterranean diet might save your heart; if not, all that olive oil could just give you stomach cramps.

Have you ever pondered... What led to the creation of the humble sandwich? Why does chocolate have that irresistible allure? What's the story behind our morning cup of coffee? Like the ever-curious, you've perhaps questioned the origins of these everyday items on your plate. Prepare yourself for an enlightening journey as you uncover your favorite foods' unexpected and perhaps slightly peculiar history.

Dieting is one of the greatest contributors to weight gain. Yet the pressure to be thin is always present through advertising, social media, and even subtle influences from family and friends. As a young woman, Dr. Supatra Tovar was trapped in the frustrating cycle of dieting and disappointment and was determined to break free from the Diet Culture hamster wheel. Combining scientific research with clinical work as a licensed psychologist, registered dietitian, and fitness expert, Dr. Tovar developed a unique approach that has helped her and her clients naturally achieve sustainable health.

Between 1850 and 1950, experts and entrepreneurs in Britain and the United States forged new connections between the nutrition sciences and the commercial realm through their enthusiasm for new edible consumables. The resulting food products promised wondrous solutions for what seemed to be both individual and social ills.