"Part travelogue and part culinary adventure . . . a quirky, entertaining ramble through the many ways wood lends its flavor to food" (Bob Holmes, author of Flavor).
Most people don't expect wood to flavor their food beyond the barbecue, and gastronomists rarely discuss the significance of wood in the realm of taste. But trees have a far greater influence over our plate and palate than you might think. Over the centuries, it has been used in cooking, distilling, fermenting, and even perfume creation to produce a unique flavor and smell.
In The Flavor of Wood, food communications expert Artur Cisar-Erlach embarks on a global journey to understand how trees infuse the world's most delectable dishes through their smoke, sap, roots, and bark. His exploration covers everything from wooden barrels used to age scotch in Austria to the wood-burning pizza ovens of Naples to Canadian maple syrup producers—as well as cheese, tea, wine, blue yogurt, and more.
Brimming with fascinating characters, unexpected turns, beautiful landscapes, scientific discoveries, and historic connections, The Flavor of Wood is the story of a passionate flavor hunter, and offers readers unparalleled access to some of the world's highest quality cuisine and unknown tree flavors.
Praise
“Spellbinding . . . [full of ] brilliantly told stories which, one after another, reveal glimpses into an ingredient so primal and so ubiquitous that it’s full majesty has eluded us all?until now. Through Cisar-Erlach’s eyes we see the stoic tree as if for the first time. We discover luscious cambium and tannic heartwood, Sumerian truffle hunters and Modenese vinegar makers, German pickles and Vietnamese perfumes. Whether you love food, crave adventure, or just enjoy a wild ride, this book is the ticket. I am floored by this book.”James Beard Award–winning author of Salted, Mark Bitterman
—
“Part travelogue and part culinary adventure, The Flavor of Wood is a quirky, entertaining ramble through the many ways wood lends its flavor to food. I learned a lot.”author of Flavor: The Science of Our Most Neglected Sense, Bob Holmes
—
