Butter: A Rich History

Butter makes everything better! Want to find out more about this rich and delicious ingredient? Come along for the ride as Elaine Khosrova explores its fascinating history, traveling around the world and discovering butter’s uses – not only culinary, but also cultural, economic, and spiritual. From its unknown origins to its superlative modern status, butter has influenced many aspects of human culture over the centuries.

This book is a pleasure to read. There are two parts: the first is an exhaustive and delightful history; the second is full of butter-showcasing recipes. The author has a wonderful writing style, with which she masterfully mixes stories from her travels and experiences with the chemistry and science behind butter as well as the episodes from history in which it features. It is lots of fun. Every page is a new discovery, all the more surprising because butter is often perceived as a rather lowly ingredient, easily obtained and so taken for granted. But Khosrova’s book will open your eyes to a reevaluation and a new appreciation of this classic, and essential, product. Then you can try some of the great recipes and experience it for yourself!