The Physiology Of Taste

"Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are," declares French author Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin in one of the aphorisms that introduces this 1825 masterpiece on the subject of cooking as an art and eating as a pleasure. Humorous, satirical, and convivial, this extended paean to the joys of food and drink has earned an enduring place in the world's literature. Brillat-Savarin found his true passion in gastronomy, asserting that "the discovery of a new dish does more for the happiness of mankind than the discovery of a new star." In his sparkling anecdotal style, he offers witty meditations on the senses, the science of gastronomy, the erotic virtue of truffles, hunting wild turkeys in America, Parisian restaurants, the history of cooking, corpulence, diets, the best ways of making coffee and chocolate, and a hundred other engaging topics. He also shares some of his best recipes, including tunny omelette, pheasant, and Swiss fondue. No cook, chef, gourmet, or lover of fine food should miss this landmark in the gastronomic literature, a timeless work that has charmed and informed two centuries of epicures.

Reproduction of the original.

A delightful and hilarious classic about the joys of the table, The Physiology of Taste is the most famous book about food ever written. First published in France in 1825 and continuously in print ever since, Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin’s masterpiece is a historical, philosophical, and epicurean collection of recipes, reflections, and anecdotes on everything and anything gastronomical. Brillat-Savarin—who famously stated “Tell me what you eat and I shall tell you what you are”—shrewdly expounds upon culinary matters that still resonate today, from the rise of the destination restaurant to matters of diet and weight, and in M. F. K. Fisher, whose commentary is both brilliant and amusing, he has an editor with a sensitivity and wit to match his own.

Brillat-Savarin's unique, exuberant collection of dishes, experiences, reflections, history and philosophy raised gastronomy to an art form. First published in France in 1825, this remarkable book reflected a new era in French cuisine: the advent of the restaurant, which gave the bourgeoisie the opportunity to select their dishes with precision and anticipation. Yet the author also gives his views on taste, diet and maintaining a healthy weight, on digestion, sleep, dreams and being a gourmand. Witty, shrewd and anecdotal, The Physiology of Taste not only contains some remarkable recipes, it an elegant argument for the pleasures of good food and a hearty appetite.

Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1755 – 1826) has been credited with founding the genre of the gastronomic essay, together with Grimod. A French lawyer and politician, Brillat-Savarin believed that all food, no matter how simple, should be prepared and consumed with great artistry. Though prosaic, his meditations on food are still considered important, and should be read in the leisurely, artistic way he approached food: "Those persons who suffer from indigestion, or who become drunk, are utterly ignorant of the true principles of eating and drinking."

Taste is the number one driving force in the decision to purchase a food product and food consumption is the most critical function for living organisms to obtain the energy and resources essential to their vitality. Flavor and aroma are therefore universally important concepts: intrinsic to human well-being and pleasure, and of huge significance for the multi-trillion dollar global food business. How Flavor Works: the Science of Taste and Aroma offers a fascinating and accessible primer on the concepts of flavor science for all who have an interest in food and related topics. Professionals and students of food science and technology who do not already specialize in flavor science will find it a valuable reference on a topic crucial to how consumers perceive and enjoy food products. In this regard, it will also be of interest to product developers, marketers and food processors. Other readers with a professional (eg culinary and food service) or personal interest in food will also find the book interesting as it provides a user-friendly account of the mechanisms of flavor and aroma which will provide new insights into their craft.

Illustrated by Anecdotes of Distinguished Artists and Statesmen of Both Continents.

"The science of taste and how to improve your sense of taste so that you get the most out of every bite"--

Epicure and gourmand Brillat-Savarin was one of the most influential food writers of all time. His 1825 book The Physiology of Taste defined our notions of French gastronomy, and his insistence that food be a civilizing pleasure for all has inspired the slow food movement and guided chefs worldwide. From discourses on the erotic properties of truffles and the origins of chocolate, to a defence of gourmandism and why 'a dessert without cheese is like a pretty woman with only one eye', the delightful writings in this selection are a hymn to the art of eating well.