Breadfruit three global journeys of a bountiful tree
"A breadfruit tree is a striking part of any tropical landscape: tall, with broadly spreading boughs, covered with huge, deeply lobed, dark green leaves, and baring dozens or even hundreds of bright green, cantaloupe-sized, spherical fruits. In terms of taste and texture, breadfruit more closely res...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Books Print Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
New York :
Columbia University Press,
[2025]
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| Series: | Arts and traditions of the table.
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| Subjects: | |
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| Summary: | "A breadfruit tree is a striking part of any tropical landscape: tall, with broadly spreading boughs, covered with huge, deeply lobed, dark green leaves, and baring dozens or even hundreds of bright green, cantaloupe-sized, spherical fruits. In terms of taste and texture, breadfruit more closely resembles a potato than a tropical fruit. But in the kitchen this blandness and starchiness translate into an endless array of healthy and delicious recipes. This book consists of three sections, each focusing on a separate "journey" taken by this plant-its origins in the Pacific, its travel to the Caribbean, and the potential and pitfalls of its reputation as a superfood. Starting more than 3000 years ago, breadfruit was one of the main foods to fuel the indigenous voyages of discovery that found and settled nearly every island of Oceania, giving rise to today's diversity of Pacific Islander cultures. During the era of trans-Atlantic slavery, introducing breadfruit to the sugar plantations of the Caribbean as a food for enslaved African laborers was the central objective of the British expedition that ended with the infamous mutiny on the Bounty. This failure of empire was followed by a successful mission several years later, resulting in breadfruit's widespread distribution and its complicated role within modern Caribbean food cultures. Today, breadfruit is emerging as a globally powerful force on two fronts: first, as a tool for sustainable development and the fight against hunger, evinced by the breadfruit-planting efforts of international charities and development organizations, and second, as a novel "superfood" noted for its health benefits and culinary versatility. Supported by findings from the author's empirical research and experiences from his wide-ranging international travel, Breadfruit narrates breadfruit's roles in world history and its contributions to a globally sustainable, nutritious future"-- Provided by publisher. |
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| Physical Description: | xvi, 285 pages : illustrations, maps ; 23 cm. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| ISBN: | 9780231219075 0231219075 9780231219082 0231219083 |
| Author Notes: |
