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Deliciously organized by the Seven Deadly Sins, here is a scintillating history of forbidden foods through the ages—and how these mouth-watering taboos have defined cultures around the world.
From the lusciously tempting fruit in the Garden of Eden to the divine foie gras, Stewart Lee Allen engagingly illustrates that when a pleasure as primal as eating is criminalized, there is often an astonishing tale to tell. Among the foods thought to encourage Lust, the love apple (now known as the tomato) was thought to possess demonic spirits until the nineteenth century. The Gluttony “course” invites the reader to an ancient Roman dinner party where nearly every dish served—from poppy-crusted rodents to “Trojan Pork”—was considered a crime against the state. While the vice known as Sloth introduces the sad story of “The Lazy Root” (the potato), whose popularity in Ireland led British moralists to claim that the Great Famine was God’s way of punishing the Irish for eating a food that bred degeneracy and idleness.
Filled with incredible food history and the author’s travels to many of these exotic locales, In the Devil’s Garden also features recipes like the matzo-ball stews outlawed by the Spanish Inquisition and the forbidden “chocolate champagnes” of the Aztecs. This is truly a delectable book that will be consumed by food lovers, culinary historians, amateur anthropologists, and armchair travelers alike. Bon appétit!
From the lusciously tempting fruit in the Garden of Eden to the divine foie gras, Stewart Lee Allen engagingly illustrates that when a pleasure as primal as eating is criminalized, there is often an astonishing tale to tell. Among the foods thought to encourage Lust, the love apple (now known as the tomato) was thought to possess demonic spirits until the nineteenth century. The Gluttony “course” invites the reader to an ancient Roman dinner party where nearly every dish served—from poppy-crusted rodents to “Trojan Pork”—was considered a crime against the state. While the vice known as Sloth introduces the sad story of “The Lazy Root” (the potato), whose popularity in Ireland led British moralists to claim that the Great Famine was God’s way of punishing the Irish for eating a food that bred degeneracy and idleness.
Filled with incredible food history and the author’s travels to many of these exotic locales, In the Devil’s Garden also features recipes like the matzo-ball stews outlawed by the Spanish Inquisition and the forbidden “chocolate champagnes” of the Aztecs. This is truly a delectable book that will be consumed by food lovers, culinary historians, amateur anthropologists, and armchair travelers alike. Bon appétit!
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
What a fantastic book!
In the Devil's Garden is divided into eight sections (one for each of the seven deadly sins plus one for luck!)Part travelogue, part gourmet treat, part history book, this book ticks so many boxes you won't be disappointed.
The book is incredibly well researched and is written in a highly entertaining, often humourous way. There were parts where I was almost crying with laughter....the part where Allen was rubbed down with a guinea pig was particualrly amusing (if you want to know why, you'll have to read the book!) I particualrly liked the idea of Louis XIV's courtiers having a 'hissy fit' when chocolate was introduced to France. I can picture it really clearly!
A great book that you can read in one sitting, or dip in and out of. Good present for foodies. Recommended.
In the Devil's Garden is divided into eight sections (one for each of the seven deadly sins plus one for luck!)Part travelogue, part gourmet treat, part history book, this book ticks so many boxes you won't be disappointed.
The book is incredibly well researched and is written in a highly entertaining, often humourous way. There were parts where I was almost crying with laughter....the part where Allen was rubbed down with a guinea pig was particualrly amusing (if you want to know why, you'll have to read the book!) I particualrly liked the idea of Louis XIV's courtiers having a 'hissy fit' when chocolate was introduced to France. I can picture it really clearly!
A great book that you can read in one sitting, or dip in and out of. Good present for foodies. Recommended.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A fairly enjoyable book with an entertaining style .It is a humorous look at the history of food fads. Those looking for a serious tome might find this one a little light for their digestion. For those looking for historical quirks, good tales and a good laugh and who are not too pedantic, this makes a good snack of a read.
A good accompaniment to the coffee book
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Well, this was a little surprise! I picked this up with some trepidation; not knowing if i was to read a tedious speel about religion and grub and whatnot.
My worries were unfounded. This was a veritable smorgasboard of the most unusual facts and heresy's regarding food i have ever heard. Roll on obscure food questions on high prize quiz shows!
In all seriousness i read this as i have a vested interest in food, i trained and worked as a chef for a few years, but this is a cracking book that would appeal to anyone fond of trivia or the pedant on a mission.
I must also make quick mention of the writing style; descriptive, to the point & very easy - he wants us to enjoy the book, not feel as though we are at a lecture & has the talent to make this happen. The book is more easily readable and sun-lounger suitable than many high street fiction novels.
For those in search of something new, this is well recomended, as is the same authors book on coffee; the devils cup.
If this is hell's kitchen - its good eatin'!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Avoid reading the chapter on cannibalism at mealtimes...
This is a fairly whimsical exploration of food taboos throughout history, organised around the principles of the Seven Deadly Sins - lust being aphrodisiacs, for example, or... Read more
Published 18 days ago by C. Ball
Good, but only in fractions
I really enjoyed the little stories about different kinds of food, chefs, monarchs and everything related to the dinnertable. Read more
Published 11 months ago by JesperOldenburger
A feast of a book
Written in an informal and witty style, this book is hugely enjoyable, full of fascinating information about the favourite foods, food taboos, food superstitions and food symbolism... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Ralph Blumenau
Sinful Writing and Terrible Tales
I had such high hopes for this book and was sorely disappointed. It's not witty and interesting enough to be a fun read and it is definately not in the slightest bit academic. Read more
Published on 22 Oct 2009 by Tasha
Food & The 7 Deadly Sins
This book was a mine of interesting (and probably quite useless) information. It explored myths and taboos surrounding food, examining their origin and comparing and contrasting... Read more
Published on 7 Feb 2004 by SMG
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