Small Batch

Rowman & Littlefield Studies in Food and Gastronomy

by Suzanne Cope

Artisanal foods are making a comeback as more and more people seek to stock their pantries, and their bellies, with handcrafted or locally grown and made foods. Specialty markets and sections at grocery stores are catering to this new desire for the special, the unique, the carefully made foods. Small Batch: Pickles, Cheese, Chocolate, Spirits and the Return of Artisanal Foods colorfully details the landscape of the newest wave of the artisanal food revolution by looking at four foods that whet our appetites for specialty. Considering the history and the cultural issues surrounding the resurgence of craft food, including the evolving definition of terroir, the importance of narrative in valuing artisanal food, and the way that these present food trends connect with and upend their rich history, Small Batch seeks to define and update the term "artisanal" and give insight into the influences, challenges, and identity of food artisans today. Suzanne Cope sumptuously surveys the collective history of the production of cheese, pickles, chocolate, and alcoholic spirits, and brings this narrative to the present by incorporating interviews with over fifty modern artisans. Cope details the influences, challenges, and evolving identity of these modern craft industries and places them in context within the recent resurgence and growth of the artisanal segment of the market. Readers interested in craft foods, and what it means to be an artisan, will find here a fascinating history and updating of both."

Genres: Food, Nonfiction, Cooking

245 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[DelAnne Frazee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Small Batch - Pickles, Cheese, Chocolate, Spirits, and the Return of Artisanal Foods
Author: Suzanne Cope
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Published: 10-15-2014
Pages: 244
Genre: Nonfiction
Sub-Genre: Cooking, Food & Wine, Cookbook, Education & References, History, Gastronomy
ISBN: 978142227347
ASIN: B00OLG9VJA
Reviewed For NetGalley and Rowman & Littlefield
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 4.25 Stars


THis is not a how to book, rather it is a short history on making small batches and the way it has become a popular preparation of smaller, personalized homemade batches of pickles, cheeses, chocolates and spirits by todays consumers. There is much to be learned for those interested.


My rating of "Small Batch - Pickles, Cheese, Chocolate, Spirits, and the Return of Artisanal Foods" is 4.5 out of 5 stars.



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[Rachel Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great dive into the world of artisanal goods.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small Batch: Pickles, Cheese, Chocolate, Spirits and the Return of Artisanal Food is written by Suzanne Cope, and explores four main areas of artisanal creativity in the US. It's a gem, packed full of history, interesting people, and stories of entrepreneurs, making their way in a nation that has gone to conglomerates and processed food.

Read our interview with author Suzanne Cope at: http://www.wanderingeducators.com/boo...

Cope is an extraordinary writer, one who can easily combine history and current stories and weave them into an enticing narrative. While I half expected some recipes in this book (I do can my own jams and pickles), what I got was so much more. It's a glimpse into an ever-changing landscape of regulations, of marketing and cooperation, of passionate people creating amazing foods. It's a story of cheese (and cows), of chocolate (and fair trade), of pickles and history, of spirits and process. Her last chapter, Defining the Movement, One Bite at a Time, is an interesting encapsulation of the artisanal revolution sweeping our nation - and perhaps, changing the way we eat, bite by bite. The book is inspiring, educational, and makes you hungry. Highly recommended!

[Samantha Cutler · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received access to this title via NetGalley, but my opinion and review are wholly my own. I found this book different that expected since I am interested in hands on rather than historical accounts. This book is great for someone that wants to hear about, but not do anything in regards to artisanal foods. In the hands of the correct reader this would be a fascinating read since it talks in depth about each of the four artisanal foods mentioned in the title. What makes them artisanal and the story of an artisanal producer of the item. I would highly recommend this title to anyone that has heard of small batch and or artisanal foods and wishes to learn more about what that means.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read. I enjoyed the history about the artisans movement and the different eras'. I didn't know that there was that much history. I personally enjoy local artisanal foods as they are fresh. If you are looking for how to this isn't the book for you.