Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer's Guide

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer's Guide

Author: Cecily Wong

Publisher: Workman

Release Date: 10.12.21

Publisher’s Summary 

Wonder is around every corner, and on every plate. The curious minds behind Atlas Obscura now turn to the hidden curiosities of food, which becomes a gateway to fascinating stories about human history, science, art, and tradition—like the first book, all organized by country, lavishly illustrated, and full of surprises.

My Review

This book was so fun! Part cookbook and part short stories, a reader could open this book onto any page and be both entertained and educated. For example, a section on Australia includes a collection of information about a melon festival, a coconut cult, the world's oldest emu farm, and wild rice conversation art. I've been keeping this book in the kitchen to read a little bit when I have a minute or two--you know, when you're waiting for the water to boil or during the last few minutes when dinner is coming together. This would also be a great idea to read with and/or discuss with your family at dinner. What better way to get everyone talking over sandwiches than to discuss that the first sandwich was NOT invented by the Earl of Sandwich, but by the Han Chinese 2,000 years earlier or The Cheese Sandwich Scandal of the Masters Tournament? Got a kid who likes "gross" or "weird" stuff? Talk about how Russians once preserved their milk with frogs, the Inuit tradition of fermenting birds in seal skin, or the Worm Courtship Festival of Indonesia. I definitely suggest adding this book to your kitchen or coffee table. This would be a great book to give as a gift this holiday season.