Beans

Ken Albala is Professor of History at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. He is the author of many books including Eating Right in the Renaissance, Food in Early Modern Europe, Cooking in Europe 1250-1650, The Banquet: Dining in the Great Courts of Late Renaissance Europe and Pancake. He was editor of three food series for Greenwood Press and has recently completed a 4-volume Food Cultures of the World Encyclopedia. Albala is also co-editor of the journal Food Culture and Society, published by Berg.

'Extraordinarily detailed and amusing. ... It is a totally endearing mixture of expertise and whimsy and should, by rights, be a bestseller.' Times 'Charming.' New York Times 'The oddest yet most compelling of books. ... As pretty to look at as it is alluring to read.' Guardian 'I would strongly urge a reading of Beans by Ken Albala which entertainingly unravels that most complicated of legumes through space and time.' Guardian 'A great read, full of exotic and intriguing information and thoroughly recommended.' Times Higher Education Supplement 'Fresh and engaging from the start ... A must have for any serious foodie.' Telegraph 'In this delightful, informative bean biography, the author unravels the history, science and culture of beans across the world.' Sainsbury's Magazine 'A vividly entertaining history of the humble bean takes the reader on a curious, surprising and exciting journey across epochs, continents and cultures.' Raymond Blanc 'Who ever

• Preface, Acknowledgements and Note on Recipes 1. Introduction 2. Lentils - Fertile Crescent 3. Lupines - Europe and Andes 4. Favas - Europe 5. Peas, Chickpeas and other Peas, Cajanus (congo pea) 6. Oddballs 7. Mung and the Vignas - India 8. Black-eyed Peas - Africa, Soul Food 9. Phaseolus vulgaris - Mexico and the World 10. Limas and the lesser Phaseoli - Andes 11. Tepary beans - Native Americans 12. Soy - China, Japan and the World Bibliography Index