On the Chocolate Trail: A Delicious Adventure Connecting Jews, Religions, History, Travel, Rituals and Recipes to the Magic of Cacao
"Bravo! ... Takes us on a roller coaster roll through the history of chocolate, from the beginning when it was only used as a drink to the present day.... A great read."—Joan Nathan, award-winning cookbook author,Jewish Cooking in America; Quiches, Kugels, andCouscous: My Search for Jewish Cooking in France; and other books"A joy for history and chocolate buffs.... Traces the exciting and curious aspects of the evolution of chocolate. The reader is rewarded with fascinating nuggets of chocolate lore, as well as several yummy chocolate recipes."—Carole Bloom, CCP, author,Intensely ChocolateandTruffles, Candies and Confections“Meticulously researched and whimsically presented. Fascinating facts, amusing anecdotes and mouth-watering recipes.... An instant classic for chocolate devotees of all faiths!”—Francine Segan, food historian, chocolate expert and James Beard nominated cookbook author ofDolci: Italy's Sweets“Yes, separate milk from meat. And wool from linen. But do not separate Jews from chocolate. They shall be yoked together for all time. And now we have the definitive book on the topic, an eloquent and astutely researched history.”—A.J. Jacobs, editor-at-large,Esquiremagazine; author of theNew York Timesbestseller,The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible, and other books“This engaging journey into the extraordinary past of a much-loved product is packed with fascinating stories and thrilling bits of information.”—Claudia Roden, food writer and author of almost twenty classic works on Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cookery; most recently, the award-winningThe Book of Jewish Food“Calling all chocoholics.... I devoured this book. Readers beware! Stash fine chocolate in your pack before setting off on this delicious journey across time and space.”—Pamela S. Nadell, Patrick Clendenen Chair in Women’s and Gender History, American University; author,Women Who Would be Rabbis: A History of Women’s Ordination, 1889–1985“A treat! Part history, part travelogue, part cookbook, [it] ... will tantalize all readers and delight chocoholic ones.”—Jonathan D. Sarna, Joseph H. & Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History, Brandeis University“A knowledgeable, surprising and, of course, delicious book. Chocolate lovers (and that includes just about everyone) and Jewish historians alike will be delighted.”—Leah Koenig, author,The Hadassah Everyday Cookbook“Fascinating and entertaining ... if you’re interested in Jews or chocolate, you’re gonna like this book. If you’re interested in both, you’re gonna love it :-). Like chocolate itself—wonderful as a gift, or you could just get one for you yourself.”—Nigel Savage, founder, Hazon: Jewish Inspiration, Sustainable Communities“A fascinating ramble through the history of chocolate and the roles—sometimes central, sometimes peripheral—that Jews have played in bringing it from the forests of Africa and Spanish America to your table. The recipes are a tasty bonus.”—David M. Gitlitz and Linda Kay Davidson, authors,A Drizzle of Honey: The Lives and Recipes of Spain’s Secret Jews“A delightful, fascinating read full of history, religion, ethics, anecdotes and recipes that will make you hungry.”—Paula Shoyer, author,The Kosher Baker: 160 Dairy-Free Desserts from Traditional to Trendy