Dinner with Darwin: Food, Drink, and Evolution

Eggs, flour, and milk are the basis of waffles and have evolved to nourish offspring. Jonathan Silvertown's "Dinner with Darwin" explores the origins of our diets and the foods that have been central to them for millennia, including spices, spirits, GMOs, hybrids, and the science of sensory interactions with foods and cooking.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 06 November 2020
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Eggs, flour, and milk are the main ingredients used to make waffles, a popular breakfast dish. However, these staples of the morning meal have a shared evolutionary purpose: they have all evolved to nourish offspring.

When you contemplate the origin of your breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you will quickly realize that everything you eat and drink has an evolutionary history.

In "Dinner with Darwin," Jonathan Silvertown takes you on a multicourse culinary journey that explores the origins of our diets and the foods that have been central to them for millennia. This tantalizing tour of human taste helps us understand the origins of our diets and the foods that have been essential to us for centuries, from spices to spirits.

Dinner with Darwin delves deeper into the realm of coevolution and cookery, exploring the intricate relationship between gut microbiomes and microherbs. It also uncovers the fascinating story of the chicken and its egg, shedding light on how natural selection has shaped our culinary choices.

As Silvertown's culinary adventure unfolds, he delves into topics such as GMOs and hybrids, examining the science behind our sensory interactions with foods and cooking. He discusses the sights, aromas, and tastes we experience in our kitchens and dining rooms, providing insights into the art and science of culinary creation.

With a wit as dry as a fine pinot noir and a wealth of evolutionary knowledge, Silvertown's menu is a delightful blend of eclectic ingredients. From Charles Darwin's intestinal maladies to the anatomy of taste buds and the culinary marvel of turducken, this feast of soup, science, and human society is a treat for the senses.

"Dinner with Darwin" offers a captivating glimpse into our evolutionary relationship with food and drink, spanning from the days of cooking cave dwellers to contemporary creperies. It provides insightful information about the origins of our diets, the foods that have sustained us throughout history, and the ways in which natural selection has influenced our culinary preferences.

Whether you are a food enthusiast, a science buff, or simply someone who enjoys a good meal, "Dinner with Darwin" is a must-read. It is a feast of soup, science, and human society that will leave you craving for more. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy this delectable journey through the world of culinary evolution.

Weight: 368g
Dimension: 313 x 233 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226760094