Edible French: Tasty Expressions and Cultural Bites

by Clotilde Dusoulier, Melina Josserand (Illustrator)

The idiosyncrasies of language can tell us a lot about a culture. In this delightful book, Clotilde Dusoulier, creator of the award-winning food blog Chocolate & Zucchini, delves into the history and meaning of fifty of the French language’s most popular food-related expressions.

Accompanied by beautiful watercolor illustrations by artist Mélina Josserand, Edible French explores whimsical turns of phrase such

Tomber dans les pommes (falling into the apples) = fainting
Se faire rouler dans la farine (being rolled in flour) = being fooled
Avoir un cœur d’artichaut (having the heart of an artichoke) = falling in love easily

A treat of a read for Francophiles and food lovers alike, Edible French is the tastiest way to explore French culture—one that will leave you in high spirits—or, as the French say, vous donnera la pêche (give you the peach).

Genres: Food, France, Nonfiction, Cookbooks, Cooking, Reference

128 pages, Hardcover

First published October 7, 2014

About the author

Clotilde Dusoulier is a Parisian author and blogger who lives in Montmartre and shares her passion for all things food-related -- thoughts, recipes, musings, cookbook acquisitions, quirky ingredients, nifty tools, restaurant experiences, ideas, and inspirations.

Reviews

[Yodamom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected to hear some common French phrases I’ve heard over the years but I got some really unknown ones. I think I’ve heard maybe three of all these. The French language is so beautiful you can say the nastiest thing and make it sound like a love poem. Knowing these little phrases should be fun. “Etre tout sucre tout miel” = being all sugar and honey. Which basically means somebody who is being all fake, overly nice, and sweet when they don’t really feel that way. One of the weirdest to me was “ Pedelar dans la choucroute”= Peddling in Sauerkraut - LOL to means being in over one’s head.
I found myself really enjoying these little phrases after I got a bit into the book. There is the brief description and a fun little way to use it in conversation at the bottom. I can see my snarky self using many of these in the future. I love commenting something that really only hits home with me.
There are even recipes included that tie in with some of the phrases. Bonus ! beautiful water colors and color slashes make the page bright and pleasant to look at. After you finish the book there is a little quiz you can take to see what you remember.
I plan on buying a copy of this for my son who travels to France and is a major foodie. It is a perfect gift for the French student, traveler, or food enthusiast.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do like to cook? Eat? Wander through ethnic food stores? Are you fascinated with French culture? A Francophile perhaps? Do you dream of traveling to France? Do you regularly travel to France? Do you study the French language? Are you interested in learning more about the nuances in French food, the French language, or French culture? If so then Clotilde Dusoulier has a book for you, “Edible French: Tasty Expressions and Cultural Bites”. Dosoulier describes fifty French food related idioms and their English counterparts, if there is one, so you can better understand what it means to be French. The author even throws in a few recipes to try and deepen your cultural experience. It is a delightful little book which has been beautifully illustrated by Mēlina Josserand. A quick read, it is another book that could help you meet your end of year reading goal. If you are interested in food or France you will enjoy this book. I recommend it.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a bit of whimsy. I am curious about languages and love words. On each page is a French idiom and translation with an explanation of its origin and how to use it in a sentence. On the opposite page is a beautiful watercolor that somehow illustrates the expression. I love the pictures; they are a perfect pairing to the idiom like a rooster in dough, which means cozy. I don't know if this idiom works well with the context, but was the best one to describe the marriage of words and art. Being in quarantine to prevent the spread of the Corona virus, I have found a few that I might use. For example, I play cards and lose to my family. I am in the cabbages--coming in last, Etre dans les choux. No need to write tartines; I will end this review now, Ecrire des tartines=be wordy.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's my goal this year to read from every main category of non-fiction. This book was a delightful way to read from the 400s - Language. The topic and the illustrations are pleasing. "Edible idioms" of the French language provided light hearted lessons. I now have a new pet name for my daughter - mon petit chou!

[Aurora Deshauteurs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully illustrated, interesting historical descriptions of food relation French sayings. Pure joy, for the foody and French lover.

[Gail Richmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations. A brief explanation of many colloquial phrases ans slang expressions the French use....all based on food!

[Ji Hea Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

My fault. Didn't have the right expectations going into the book.

[Helene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book, I didn't know most of the expressions. The illustrations are beautiful, the recipes are an added benefit. Tres bien!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much about a culture is revealed in language...that the food expressions are particularly relevant is not surprising!

[Glennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the perfect little gift book for the foodie or language lover in your life. The book provides a nice color drawing of the food in question and a short description of the saying in French and gives some background how it might have developed in the language. Instead of the usual coffee table book a cute book to have in the kitchen or the nearby breakfast bar to flip through while waiting for something to finish cooking.

Digital review copy provided by the publisher though NetGalley

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

With lovely watercolor illustrations, this is a beautiful book of French "edible idioms" - idiomatic sayings about food. The author explains the background and meaning of each idiom. There are also a few French recipes in the book as well. I received this book free to review from Netgalley.

[Libraryassistant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Les "bons mots" and charming watercolors make up this engaging book. The background on some of the phrases gives interesting insight into the differing perspective of French and English speakers when it comes to food.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely little book with scrumptious French sayings, each accompanied by simple but beautiful watercolor paintings. I would totally buy this book the next time I go browsing on Amazon.

[Janie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't bother.The only reason to pick up the book is the few drawings in the book that are enjoyable. This person is not a writer.

[Emily Bragg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little book, though I'm slightly unsure whether or not it is an elaborate plot to trick non-native speakers into complete absurdity when trying any of the phrases out.

[Allyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very cute little book with gorgeous illustrations. If I could only remember half of what I read, I would be doing well.

[Pixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A super fast read. It is literally 50 short translations of 50 French phrases involving food and blurbs on the origins of the phrases, with watercolor illustrations.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable collection of French colloquialisms...

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute. Great illustrations.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you love food and France? It's a 5

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful, charming little nibble of a book with sweet watercolors, and you don't need to speak a word of French to enjoy it, though the remnants of my high school French made it more fun.

[Juli Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute little novelty book. Not a heavy-hitter, but enjoyable, and the illustrations are delightful.

[Dvdurante · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't often buy books anymore and this is one of the few I have. It has lovely phrases about food in French. I near window into the French language.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read. Love reading about expressions and how they came into use.