The Taste of Conquest The Rise and Fall of the Three Great Cities of Spice

The Taste of Conquestoffers up a riveting, globe-trotting tale of unquenchable desire, fanatical religion, raw greed, fickle fashion, and mouthwatering cuisinein short, the very stuff of which our world is made. In this engaging, enlightening, and anecdote-filled history, Michael Krondl, a noted chef turned writer and food historian, tells the story of three legendary citiesVenice, Lisbon, and Amsterdamand how their single-minded pursuit of spice helped to make (and remake) the Western diet and set in motion the first great wave of globalization. Sharing meals and stories with Indian pepper planters, Portuguese sailors, and Venetian foodies, Krondl takes every opportunity to explore the world of long ago and sample its many flavors. Along the way, he reveals that the taste for spice of a few wealthy Europeans led to great crusades, astonishing feats of bravery, and even wholesale slaughter. As stimulating as it is pleasurable, and filled with surprising insights,The Taste of Conquestoffers a compelling perspective on how, in search of a tastier dish, the world has been transformed. Praise forThe Taste of Conquest "An altogether rich, perfectly seasoned slice of world history." The Boston Globe "As a chef I have always been deeply intrigued by the mystique of spices. Michael Krondl's book awakens and transports the reader into this mysterious world, showing us how our lives and history have been transformed by the sensuous odors of cardamom, nutmeg, and turmeric." Gray Kunz, chef and owner of Cafe Gray and Grayz, co-author ofThe Elements of Taste "Fascinating . . . spicy reading for food and history lovers alike." Associated Press "A delicious treat." The Vancouver Sun "Witty and erudite." Financial Post "Enticing." Chicago Tribune

Michael Krondl is a chef, food writer, and author of Around the American Table: Treasured Recipes and Food Traditions from the American Cookery Collections of the New York Public Library and The Great Little Pumpkin Cookbook. He has published articles in Good Food, Family Circle, Pleasures of Cooking, and Chocolatier, and has contributed entries to The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America. He lives in New York City.


From the Hardcover edition.