Edible: An Illustrated Guide to the World’s Food Plants — National Geographic Hardcover

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A richly illustrated National Geographic compendium, Edible: An Illustrated Guide to the World’s Food Plants is one of the most … Read more A richly illustrated National Geographic compendium, Edible: An Illustrated Guide to the World’s Food Plants is one of the most beautiful and authoritative references ever created on the global story of what we eat. A natural choice for anyone drawn to a more thoughtful, plant-forward lifestyle, this substantial hardcover invites readers on a visually lush walk through the “world garden,” tracing the origins, history, and cultural journeys of more than 250 food plants.

With over 500 full-color images, the book reads like an encyclopedia for the senses: fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, spices, herbs, beverage plants, and the stories behind each. Written by a team of international horticultural and culinary experts, it blends science with storytelling—bringing forward everything from ancient cultivation to modern gastronomic uses.

Inside, an eight-chapter Food Directory offers beautifully structured entries featuring botanical profiles, culinary roles, nutritional highlights, and medicinal traditions. Layered throughout are literary quotes, historical sidebars, and vivid anecdotes: the Mayan reverence for cacao, the 17th-century Nutmeg Wars that helped shape New York, and the Japanese Cherry Festival’s centuries-old symbolism.

Whether displayed on a kitchen counter, a dining room console, or in a curated library, Edible is both a visual treasure and an endlessly fascinating resource—perfect for cooks, gardeners, designers, and collectors of food culture. See less