Book: Curry ~ A Tale of Cooks and Conquerors

Curry: A Tale of Cooks and Conquerors by Lizzie Collingham

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Were every history told in context of food and food culture/progression, I believe I'd know a lot more about world history. If any part of you has a love or interest in: history, India, or Indian food, you will find this an interesting and insightful read. In addition, when choosing to purchase this book, you not only receive a history as told through cuisine, but a dozen or so recipes to fit each stage of that food history.

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In addiiton to this review, a few passages which were of particular interest to me:

"Eating local-grown rice fills the villagers with the nature of their home and binds them to their community. Before setting out on a journey a traveler is required to eat large amounts of village grown rice, to fill him with the essence of home." (pg. 4)

"Psycohologically tea breeds contentment. It is so bound up with fellowship and the home and pleasant memories that its results are also magic." (pg. 199)

"The neutrality of tea makes it easier to share with impunity with members of a caste normally rejected as eating or drinking partners." (pg. 201 - in context of Ayurvedic principles and tea's entrance into India's societal 'norms')

Obviously, the chapter regarding Chai Tea was my favorite, for soo many reasons including tea's ability to break down barriers and the chai tea recipes included at the back of the book.

(Typed while drinking *gasp* Coffee Mix from a small mug  which showcases sweet little homes, trees and clouds with the words 'My Happy Life' at the top...if only I had a good chai...)