Amber Waves - The Extraordinary Biography of Wheat, from Wild Grass to World Megacrop

Wheat, a cereal whose humble origins belie its world-shaping power, has been cultivated for thousands of years, creating a world of cuisines. Amber Waves is a biography of wheat that explores our complex relationship with our crops, from the earliest breads to the most mouthwatering pastas, and how our society has changed in response to the need to secure our food sources.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 216 pages
\n Publication date: 29 October 2020
\n Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
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Wheat, a humble grain that has played a pivotal role in human civilization, is often taken for granted on our breakfast tables and in our bakeries. However, Amber Waves, a captivating biography, reveals the remarkable story of a group of species that thrived in scattered stands in the foothills of the Middle East until our ancestors discovered their immense value as a food source. Over thousands of years, we transported their seeds to nearly every corner of the globe, gradually cultivating what we now recognize as wheat. This process not only shaped the world's culinary landscape but also created a diverse array of cuisines that rely on wheat seeds as a staple ingredient.

Wheat's global expansion was a testament to our species' ingenuity in producing enough food for ourselves and our communities. Since the first harvest of ancient grain, we have continuously perfected our farming systems, yielding one of our species' most significant global megacrops. However, this achievement has come at a significant ecological cost. Our relentless pursuit of agricultural productivity has led to the degradation of natural ecosystems, depletion of soil fertility, and the loss of biodiversity.

Despite our vast capacity to grow food, undernourishment remains a pressing problem both locally and globally. This issue extends beyond mere food scarcity and encompasses issues such as food insecurity, malnutrition, and the impact of climate change on agricultural yields. It is crucial that we address these challenges and find sustainable solutions to ensure food security for future generations.

Amber Waves, by ecologist Catherine Zabinski, delves into the intricate relationship between humans and wheat, exploring its humble origins, evolution, and ecological significance. The book weaves together history, evolution, and ecology, providing a comprehensive understanding of the grain's journey from its wild progenitors to the modern wheat we consume today. It sheds light on our complex relationship with our crops, both in terms of how we have transformed them through selective breeding and genetic engineering and how our society has evolved in response to the need to secure our food sources.

From the origins of agriculture to the rise of gluten sensitivities, from our early selection of the largest seeds from wheat's wild progenitors to the sequencing of the wheat genome and genetic engineering, Amber Waves offers a comprehensive exploration of the grain's history and development. It sheds light on the scientific advancements that have enabled us to cultivate and manipulate wheat, as well as the ethical considerations surrounding these practices.

In conclusion, wheat, a humble grain with extraordinary power, has shaped human civilization and the world's culinary landscape. However, our relentless pursuit of agricultural productivity has come at a significant ecological cost. It is essential that we recognize the importance of sustainable agriculture, conservation, and equitable food distribution to ensure food security for all. By understanding the story of wheat and our complex relationship with it, we can work towards a more sustainable and resilient future.

\n Weight: 370g\n
Dimension: 140 x 210 x 25 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780226553719\n \n