★★★★★

This unique culinary history of America offers a fascinating look at our past and uses long-forgotten recipes to explain how eight flavors changed how we eat.

The United States boasts a culturally and ethnically diverse population which makes for a continually changing culinary landscape. But a young historical gastronomist named Sarah Lohman discovered that American food is united by eight flavors: black pepper, vanilla, curry powder, chili powder, soy sauce, garlic, MSG, and Sriracha. In Eight Flavors, Lohman sets out to explore how these influential ingredients made their way to the American table.

If you consider yourself a foodie and enjoy historical documentaries add this one to your reading list, you will love this book!

The history of food, in the United States, is something I had not given much thought to. To think about our foods coming from somewhere else, the how (and why) they got here and how they became “American” is fascinating to ponder. When it comes to food, that cultural diversity has given American it’s own unique cuisine.

Sarah Lohman has been dubbed a ” historical gastronomist” for good reason. She offers up lots of interesting factoids, myth-busters and trivia in this book along with several mouth-watering recipes.

A truly fascinating topic and what a fun book club read this one would be! Maybe a bowl of chili and Spicy Zeig for the cocktail?!!

Listening to the author speak, at the Testament Museum in NYC, is a nice way to top it off!

I can’t wait for Sarah’s next book!