The Flavor of Wood: In Search of the Wild Taste of Trees from Smoke and Sap to Root and Bark

Description

Most people don't expect wood to flavor their food beyond the barbecue, if at all, and gastronomists rarely discuss the significance that wood has on ultimate taste. But trees and wood have a far greater influence over our plate and palate than you might think. So what does wood taste of? And how has it been used in cooking, distilling, fermenting, and even perfume creation to produce a unique flavor and smell? To find out the answers, food expert Artur Cisar-Erlach embarked on a global journey to understand how trees infuse the world's most delectable dishes with the flavor of their wood. His three-year exploration covers everything from pizza, whiskey and quinine to wine, maple syrup, blue yogurt, and more. As his quest spans continents and cultures, Cisar-Erlach introduces readers to a colorful cast of characters including Modenese balsamic vinegar producers, Piedmontese truffle hunters, South Tyrolean winemakers, and wild mountain pine chefs, and avant-garde central London tea merchants. A world trip brimming with fascinating encounters, 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.

ARTUR CISAR-ERLACH is a woodland ecologist, food communications expert, and cabinetmaker whose work spans the fields of food and ecotourism. He was an editor of the Slow Food International Travel handbook. The Flavor of Wood is his first book.