Truffle: A Global History

Edible

by Zachary Nowak

What is a truffle? Some see it as the apotheosis of the mushroom; some cultures believe that thunderclaps produce the esteemed, delectable fungus. Having a rather uninviting appearance, it is probably most famous as a prized, luxurious ingredient in the kitchen. Scientists, despite having succeeded in sequencing the truffle’s genome, are still determining many aspects of its existence. The truffle has a powerful hold over us, is renowned for many features beyond taste and is often used in perfume. But few know the history and origins of this coveted plant.Zachary Nowak delves into the history and fame of the truffle in A Global History, relating its journey from the Far East to European and American kitchens. His account includes cultural, historical and scientific perspectives, offering a thorough and complete portrait of this many-sided mushroom. He compares the truffle’s origins and history in the Old World to its growing prominence in the New World, along the way showing the growth and dynamism of modern Western cuisine and food cultures. Featuring many instructive and surprising illustrations, and numerous historical and contemporary recipes, this unique and fascinating book is a must-read for chefs and food historians, and anyone who loves the mysterious, rich, savoury taste of the truffle.

Genres: Food, History, Nonfiction

164 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2015

Reviews

[Sesana · Rating 1 out of 5]

There's a lot of pointless asides in this book. At one point, there's a multi-page story about a scam that has nothing to do with truffles, aside from one of the players in that story also having something to do with truffles at an entirely different point in his life. There's also the bizarre assertion that the very concept of invasive species is nothing but xenophobic hysteria.

[Alex Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive , beautifully written , informative

I have really enjoyed reading this book! It is a journey throughout history of truffles, their discovery , use in gastronomy and current issues and practices . It is not at all a boring book but instead keeps the reader captivated with interesting facts , myths , beliefs . I found it interesting to provide a list of famous and very old fashioned recipes for cooking truffles . a very good read overall .

[Vince Deuschel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all volumes in the Edible Series- this one was quick, informative and enjoyable. I have been n the food industry for 20 years and I learned something- how great is that?!