Beans A History
Beans A History by Ken Albala, published by Bloomsbury Academic on March 9, 2017, is a comprehensive exploration of the bean, a staple food cultivated by humans for over 10,000 years. This edition, consisting of 240 pages, delves into the significance of various bean species, from lentils to soybeans, and examines their roles in different civilizations. The book highlights the complex relationship societies have had with beans, reflecting both reverence and disdain throughout history.
Readers will find an engaging narrative that traces the cultural and social implications of beans across time. The book discusses various perspectives, including historical beliefs about beans, their nutritional value, and the controversies surrounding their consumption. By intertwining topics such as cooking, agriculture, and anthropology, this work offers insights into how beans have shaped human diets and societal attitudes.
Official synopsis Publisher
This is the story of the bean, the staple food cultivated by humans for over 10,000 years.
From the lentil to the soybean, every civilization on the planet has cultivated its own species of bean. The humble bean has always attracted attention – from Pythagoras’ notion that the bean hosted a human soul to St. Jerome’s indictment against bean-eating in convents (because they “tickle the genitals”), to current research into the deadly toxins contained in the most commonly eaten beans.
Over time, the bean has been both scorned as “poor man’s meat” and praised as health-giving, even patriotic. Attitudes to this most basic of foodstuffs have always revealed a great deal about a society. Featuring a new preface from author Ken Albala, Beans: A History takes the reader on a fascinating journey across cuisines and cultures.
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “Beans A History” about?
Who is the author of “Beans A History”?
When was “Beans A History” published?
What is the ISBN for “Beans A History”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
