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牡蠣萬歲：美味、誘惑、金錢與權力，完美食材的地理與歷史
敬邀眾位食家饕客翻開本書，
參與一段精彩的牡蠣前世今生之旅。
人類食用牡蠣的歷史可以追朔到新石器時代。牡蠣肉是食物，牡蠣殼被作為原始的餐具、挖掘的工具，殼內緣帶有光澤的珍珠質，使它成為製作飾品的材料，或被用來裝飾最早的宗教聖像。甚至，剩餘的牡蠣殼被搗碎後，與沙子混合成建築用的水泥。
從遠古到古典歐洲到近代殖民地，從產地、餐桌、文學到藝術，
解開人類與牡蠣密不可分的多重關係，為了滿足口腹之欲我們做了哪些努力。
攤開歐洲的巨石文化遺址分布圖，會發現與當時有牡蠣生長的海灣位置完全重合。沒有留下文字紀錄的凱爾特或腓尼基文化，藉由牡蠣殼向後世證明他們曾是活躍於古代的聚落群體。而自古羅馬時代，就有嘗試養殖牡蠣的紀錄，這種口感滑順滋味鮮美、又富含營養價值的天然珍饈，自古就與人類的政治經濟、飲食、文學及藝術發展，有著緊密的關係。
莎士比亞、狄更斯在作品中都常提到牡蠣，《愛麗絲夢遊仙境》中還出現以牡蠣為主角的詩。歐洲有長達1500年時間，宗教都是繪畫的唯一主題，卻在17世紀的荷蘭，開始有畫家以世俗的食物為繪畫主角，並掀起靜物畫的風潮。畫作中出現的牡蠣，除了代表奢華、尊貴、異國風情外，也是一種呈現新鮮或時間流逝之感的藝術手法。而愛牡蠣成癡的法國人，除了有諸多跟牡蠣有關的字詞，更讓牡蠣成為春藥的代名詞。
本書軼聞典故有滋有味、妙趣橫生，科學知識令人眼界大開，佐以令人食指大動的豐富插圖，以及五十道涵括傳統鄉村料理和當代頂尖主廚創新菜色的食譜，是獻給歷史和食物愛好者的文學饗宴。
參與一段精彩的牡蠣前世今生之旅。
人類食用牡蠣的歷史可以追朔到新石器時代。牡蠣肉是食物，牡蠣殼被作為原始的餐具、挖掘的工具，殼內緣帶有光澤的珍珠質，使它成為製作飾品的材料，或被用來裝飾最早的宗教聖像。甚至，剩餘的牡蠣殼被搗碎後，與沙子混合成建築用的水泥。
從遠古到古典歐洲到近代殖民地，從產地、餐桌、文學到藝術，
解開人類與牡蠣密不可分的多重關係，為了滿足口腹之欲我們做了哪些努力。
攤開歐洲的巨石文化遺址分布圖，會發現與當時有牡蠣生長的海灣位置完全重合。沒有留下文字紀錄的凱爾特或腓尼基文化，藉由牡蠣殼向後世證明他們曾是活躍於古代的聚落群體。而自古羅馬時代，就有嘗試養殖牡蠣的紀錄，這種口感滑順滋味鮮美、又富含營養價值的天然珍饈，自古就與人類的政治經濟、飲食、文學及藝術發展，有著緊密的關係。
莎士比亞、狄更斯在作品中都常提到牡蠣，《愛麗絲夢遊仙境》中還出現以牡蠣為主角的詩。歐洲有長達1500年時間，宗教都是繪畫的唯一主題，卻在17世紀的荷蘭，開始有畫家以世俗的食物為繪畫主角，並掀起靜物畫的風潮。畫作中出現的牡蠣，除了代表奢華、尊貴、異國風情外，也是一種呈現新鮮或時間流逝之感的藝術手法。而愛牡蠣成癡的法國人，除了有諸多跟牡蠣有關的字詞，更讓牡蠣成為春藥的代名詞。
本書軼聞典故有滋有味、妙趣橫生，科學知識令人眼界大開，佐以令人食指大動的豐富插圖，以及五十道涵括傳統鄉村料理和當代頂尖主廚創新菜色的食譜，是獻給歷史和食物愛好者的文學饗宴。
256 pages, Unknown Binding
First published October 6, 2015
31 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Drew Smith
18 books1 followerThere are several authors using this name.
Library of Congress Authorities: Smith, Drew
Library of Congress Authorities: Smith, Drew
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 13, 2019
I saw this book on the New Non-Fiction shelf at the library and grabbed it as I was checking out. Interesting and in-depth history
August 22, 2023
informative & inspirational!
September 30, 2020
READ IT! If you are an oyster lover or a curious about seafood this book is a must. Be warned: this is a Western oyster HISTORY book, detailing the story of trade, farming, oyster use, gastronomy, and related mostly in Europe and North America. It is NOT a cooking book. It touches briefly the oyster context in Asia, maybe because the culture is so different in the area there would be need for another book itself instead of a chapter. So if you are interested in Asian history look somewhere else. The author does an amazing job of relating the stories to oyster recipes of each aforementioned location. If you are an oyster appreciator, which I believe you would be to buy the book in the first place, it will be a delight to try the old and modern gastronomy! The author digged deep into many curiosities that are related to the oyster world including the Pocahontas real story, the Tabasco brand, the inspirations for art, slave and even child labor in oyster houses and the book has several high quality historical images that are both eye catching and interesting. In the last few chapter the author briefly touches topics of ecology (scrapped in this case, but hey don’t mind me, I am a marine researcher), shucking equipments and oyster festivals to attend around the world, though again mostly centered in US and Europe. For me, it was a delight!
May 12, 2018
I was not sure how I would feel reading another oyster book after reading The Big Oyster by Mark Kurlansky many years ago and which I enjoyed immensely. But this was a delight. It is a varied book, with beautiful photography and includes multiple recipes. Providing not only a history of the oyster across geographies, you get a good deal of insight into the science and the very nature and character of oysters (some can live to be 100 - they can also change genders - more than once). As someone who consumes approximately 500 oysters a year, I found that I was nearly on par with the average consumption of a New Yorker at the turn of the 20th Century. Highly recommended to those who love to eat oysters and those who enjoy cooking them.
July 14, 2019
Oyster: A Gastronomic History is an all-in-one book about the oyster from a gastronomical perspective. The book tells many aspects such as history, geography, recipe, culture, and art about the oyster. Great pictures, excellent storytelling. The history spans from the ancient times (the Paleozoic era) to the present day.
The first few chapters were real page-turners (it tells the anatomy, function, and characteristics of an oyster in an entertaining way), but the mid-section of the book was too focused on European/American History & Geography, so I kind of skipped it. I was looking for an entertaining book that gives insight into the history of oyster in general. Maybe if you're an oyster foodie and you like the European history, this is for you.
The first few chapters were real page-turners (it tells the anatomy, function, and characteristics of an oyster in an entertaining way), but the mid-section of the book was too focused on European/American History & Geography, so I kind of skipped it. I was looking for an entertaining book that gives insight into the history of oyster in general. Maybe if you're an oyster foodie and you like the European history, this is for you.
November 30, 2019
An amazing read on what would be considered a royal seashell, brimming with life. This book is filled with unexpected facts on the oyster: its biology, history, varieties, environmental impacts and don't forget the round-the-world recipes.
I loved it and would acquire it as a treasured coffee table book which I would read and reread at leisure. Also, I'm seriously considering oyster farming for my retiring plans.
I loved it and would acquire it as a treasured coffee table book which I would read and reread at leisure. Also, I'm seriously considering oyster farming for my retiring plans.
May 28, 2018
It gets a star just for subject matter alone!
Recipes are interesting as are the photos and illustrations. I enjoyed the biology intro to oysters, as well as oysters by geography, though there is a noted European/UK emphasis. Fair enough, as most oyster books I've read focus on the US.
Enjoyable read, recommended if you're an oyster enthusiast.
Recipes are interesting as are the photos and illustrations. I enjoyed the biology intro to oysters, as well as oysters by geography, though there is a noted European/UK emphasis. Fair enough, as most oyster books I've read focus on the US.
Enjoyable read, recommended if you're an oyster enthusiast.
January 25, 2022
I love oysters but never had any real knowledge of the aquaculture surrounding them or the world wide diversity. A great brief history of oysters from around the world. Haven’t tried any of the recipes yet but several were earmarked for future use as I went through the book. Well worth the read for any costal epicurean.
May 26, 2020
This is a version of Drew Smith's more academic work on Oysters, but pared down for readability, and supplemented with lithographs, photographs and other art. To that end, it is an easier introduction to oysters, but I preferred the more comprehensive version.
October 27, 2020
Everything to know on oysters!
In-depth history of oysters with delicious recipes throughout. I find the illustrations fascinating and the history of oyster girls a hoot. Also, who knew that oysters really are an aphrodisiac?
In-depth history of oysters with delicious recipes throughout. I find the illustrations fascinating and the history of oyster girls a hoot. Also, who knew that oysters really are an aphrodisiac?
June 8, 2023
Who knew? The long history of eating oysters in different cultures, time periods, throughout history.
November 5, 2024
Lots of facts and facts, but I really loved hearing about the oyster early history. PHOENICIA!
January 29, 2016
A very strange book, combing history, marine biology, and culinary arts.
The author spends quite sometime exploring the ancient history of oysters as food, lending some amusing perspective to the old saw that the first person to eat a raw oyster was brave indeed (or very hungry, at least). The fact that the Romans shipped oysters home from Britannia is not as interesting as the fact that the brits had been slurping oysters for centuries.
The origin of the lore of the oyster as aphrodisiac is explored, and while there is some slim scientific basis, more amusing is the stories of Victorian street merchants (Oyster Girls) providing an extra service or two to regular customers.
I feel as a native Marylander that the rich history of the mid-Atlantic oyster commerce, especially the Chesapeake, is given short shrift. This industry spawned a huge, fertile and focused shipbuilding industry that is in evidence even today. A visit to the Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD is suggested on that topic.
The numerous oyster recipes scattered throughout the book are fascinating as historical and regional vignettes, but I prefer mine simple and straight up, right off the shell!
The author spends quite sometime exploring the ancient history of oysters as food, lending some amusing perspective to the old saw that the first person to eat a raw oyster was brave indeed (or very hungry, at least). The fact that the Romans shipped oysters home from Britannia is not as interesting as the fact that the brits had been slurping oysters for centuries.
The origin of the lore of the oyster as aphrodisiac is explored, and while there is some slim scientific basis, more amusing is the stories of Victorian street merchants (Oyster Girls) providing an extra service or two to regular customers.
I feel as a native Marylander that the rich history of the mid-Atlantic oyster commerce, especially the Chesapeake, is given short shrift. This industry spawned a huge, fertile and focused shipbuilding industry that is in evidence even today. A visit to the Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD is suggested on that topic.
The numerous oyster recipes scattered throughout the book are fascinating as historical and regional vignettes, but I prefer mine simple and straight up, right off the shell!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews