The Exotic Tastes Of Paradise

From the extravagant use of pepper in the Middle Ages to the Protestant bourgeoisie's love of coffee to the reason why fashionable Europeans stopped sniffing tobacco and starting smoking it, Schivelbusch looks at how the appetite for pleasure transformed the social structure of the Old World. Illustrations.

Francis I's ties with the Ottoman Empire marked the birth of court-sponsored Orientalism in France. Under Louis XIV, French society was transformed by cross-cultural contacts with the Ottomans, India, Persia, China, Siam and the Americas. The consumption of silk, cotton cloth, spices, coffee, tea, china, gems, flowers and other luxury goods transformed daily life and gave rise to a new discourse about the 'Orient' which in turn shaped ideas about economy and politics, specifically absolutism and the monarchy. An original account of the ancient regime, this book highlights France's use of the exotic and analyzes French discourse about Islam and the 'Orient'.

This engaging guide traces the history, cultivation, and culture of coffee, as well as the major factors influencing the industry today. Robert Thurston provides a readable, concise overview of coffee from the time the seeds of the coffee fruit are planted to the latest ideas in roasting and making beverages. He considers cultivation and its challenges, especially climate change; new research on hybridization; the history of coffee and cultural change surrounding it around the world; devices, new and old, for making coffee drinks; the issue of organic versus conventional agriculture; and the health benefits of the brew. The first book that coffee lovers naturally will turn to, it will also appeal to anyone interested in globalization, climate change, and social justice.

Sent to the island of Samora by her deceitful fiance, Cathy unexpectedly falls in love with the island's owner, Grant Howard

This 2000 book explores the literary and cultural significance of spice, and the spice trade, in Romantic literature.

As food lovers know, soups, stews, and curries are among the most popular and delicious foods of Asia. Asian Soups, Stews, and Curries brings 200 such dishes from the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, India, and Korea to eager American eaters. Collected from family cooks, street vendors, and restaurant chefs during the author's extensive travels, the recipes are complemented by evocative anecdotes. The recipes include favorites like noodle soups, dumplings, and more. For beginners, Asian Soups, Stews, and Curries includes a glossary of terms, sidebars on cooking techniques, and notes on unique Eastern ingredients. This exciting collection will be a must for anyone who loves the bold flavors, abundant health benefits, and easy preparation of Asian food. Alexadra (Sandy) Greeley has lived in Hong Kong where she was a writer and editor of the South China Morning Post. She currently lives in Virginia and is a freelance writer for such publications as the Washington Post and Washington magazine. She returns to Asia frequently for research and pleasure.