Ways of Eating: Exploring Food through History and Culture

Ways of Eating is a book that explores world food history and anthropology through engaging stories and historical deep dives, offering new ways to understand food in relation to its natural and cultural histories and the social rules that shape our meals. It weaves stories of Panamanian coffee growers, medieval women beer makers, and Japanese knife forgers, and provides an absorbing account of world food history and anthropology. Migration, politics, and group identity all shape what we eat, and the book teaches us to trace these social forces from the plate to the kitchen, the factory, and the field.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 19 September 2023
Publisher: University of California Press

From the origins of agriculture to the contemporary debates over culinary authenticity, Ways of Eating offers a comprehensive exploration of world food history and food anthropology. Written by Benjamin A. Wurgaft and Merry I. White, this book delves into the intricate relationship between food, its natural and cultural histories, and the social rules that shape our meals.

Through engaging stories and historical deep dives, Wurgaft and White provide readers with fresh perspectives on food, challenging traditional notions and revealing new ways to understand its significance. The authors employ vivid storytelling to bring food practices to life, showcasing the experiences of coffee growers in Panama, medieval women beer makers, and Japanese knife forgers. From the Venetian spice trade to the Columbian Exchange, from Roman garum to Vietnamese nớc chấm, Ways of Eating offers an absorbing account of world food history and anthropology.

Migration, politics, and the dynamics of group identity all play a crucial role in shaping our food choices. By tracing these social forces from the plate to the kitchen, the factory, and the field, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between food, culture, and society.

In conclusion, Ways of Eating is a must-read for anyone interested in food, culture, and society. With its engaging writing, rich historical content, and thought-provoking insights, this book offers a valuable contribution to our understanding of the world's culinary traditions and the social forces that shape them.

Weight: 470g
Dimension: 161 x 238 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520392984