Fruit from the Sands: The Silk Road Origins of the Foods We Eat

The book "Fruit from the Sands" explores the history and spread of agriculture across Inner Asia and into Europe and East Asia, tracing the origins of familiar crops and their impact on human history and cuisine.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 392 pages
\n Publication date: 22 September 2020
\n Publisher: University of California Press
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A captivating and informative historical and botanical exploration, offering a delightful and intellectually stimulating read.

The foods we consume today possess a rich and frequently unexpected history. Almonds, apples, tea, and rice, among numerous other foods we enjoy today, have their origins in prehistoric Central Asia, tracing their path along the Silk Road to kitchens across Europe, America, China, and other regions in East Asia. The exchange of goods, ideas, cultural practices, and genes along these ancient routes spans a remarkable five thousand years, with organized trade along the Silk Road dating back to at least the Han Dynasty in China during the second century BC.

In his comprehensive work, "Fruit from the Sands," Robert N. Spengler III skillfully weaves together a diverse range of archaeological, botanical, and historical evidence to present the fascinating story of the origins and spread of agriculture across Inner Asia and into Europe and East Asia. Through the meticulous examination of preserved plant remains discovered in archaeological sites, Spengler identifies the regions where our most familiar crops were domesticated and traces their journey as they were carried across the world by people.

With vivid illustrations and engaging anecdotes, "Fruit from the Sands" delves into the profound impact that the foods we eat have had on the course of human history and the diverse cuisines that have emerged as a result. It explores how the cultivation and consumption of certain crops have influenced social structures, economic development, and cultural traditions, shaping the very fabric of human civilization.

This book is a must-read for anyone with an interest in history, agriculture, culinary arts, or the fascinating interplay between culture and food. It provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of the origins and evolution of the foods we cherish today, shedding light on the complex and interconnected relationships that have shaped our world.

\n Weight: 496g\n
Dimension: 154 x 203 x 28 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780520379268\n \n