Tasty Treats: Food Microhistories

Microhistories are books that explore focused subject areas. They give insight and interest to the mundane pieces of life we do not often think about. These Microhistories focus on food and drink.

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Dan Koeppel - Banana: The Fate of the Fruit that Changed the World
(634.772 Koe) Is one of the world’s most beloved fruits in danger? Read about the history and culture of the banana world, where it’s been and what will happen to the mysterious fruit.

Mark Kurlansky - Cod: A biography of a fish that changed the world
(697.633 Ku) Cod may not enter your thoughts on a daily basis, but it is a fish that has changed the world. Kurlansky tells of how cod helped in the discovery of North America, and has impacted the economy of Canada and Europe.

E.M. Collingham - Curry: A tale of cooks and conquerors
(641.5954 Co) Curry is not just in India. This book traces its origin and impact on both the East and the West. You can also learn how to make a delicious Lamb Korma.

Andrew Barr - Drink: A social history of America
(394.13 Ba) This book is an attempt "to understand the history of the United States through its attitudes to liquor and its changing tastes in drink." Barr, an English journalist, tells entertaining tales and gives his strong yet funny opinions on alcohol in America.

Jennifer 8 Lee - The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the world of Chinese food
(641.5951 Lee) Take an entertaining excursion through the world of Chinese takeout. This book is a bit of history, a bit of memoir, but all enjoyable.

Mark Kurlansky - Salt: A world history
(333.856 Ku) You may think of salt as a boring and everyday commodity, but salt has shaped economics, influenced religion, and changed history.

Jack Turner - Spice: The history of a temptation
(641.3383 Tu) Spices have always been alluring and somewhat mysterious. They have been alluring enough to drive explores deep into the heart of discovery of other lands. Turner expounds on the importance of spices to the world.

Carolyn Wyman - Spam: A biography
(641.66 Wy) Have you ever wondered where Spam got its name or what the actual ingredients are? Wyman looks at all sides of America’s favorite canned meat product.

Hattie Ellis - Sweetness and Light: The mysterious history of the honeybee
(595.799 El) Bees are one of the most interesting creatures in the world, and not only because they create honey. Find out how humans started eating the guarded treasure of the bees in the first place.

Sophie and Michael Coe - The True History of Chocolate
(641.3374 Co) Chocolate was once used as currency, now it is rolled off Hershey conveyor belts at 25 million a day. The Coes examine chocolate with scholarship and passion.

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