I don't know what I expected but I was a little disappointed that this was essentially the internet site in book form. The entries were a little uneven in terms of information and editing which made it not really a book to read through. It is, however, a pleasant coffee table book in that one can dip in and out and find a fascinating or weird thing to learn about.

Gastro Obscura is an amazingly and entertainingly detailed book about food!! From historical background to recent discoveries, long-held myths to unusual facts, this book is a wonder! I imagine that many readers will do as I did, and turn first to the country/countries of their background. (Who knew that Norway has the highest annual per capita pizza consumption of any nation?) With straight-forward writing and vivid pictures, this book can be enjoyed by many.

Gastro Obscura is a worldwide trip down memory lane and into some strange corners of the globe. Sort of a more fleshed out Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with an emphasis on the weird or historical. Want to visit the oldest tavern in America? See the White Horse Tavern in Rhode Island. Bored with the Midwest’s butter art? Visit the Salo Art Museum in Ukraine for bacon fat art. There is even a photo of a bust of a bust.

However, this book can teach you stuff without even leaving your chair. Who knew that giant, and thankfully extinct, sloths spread avocado trees throughout Mexico by pooping out their gigantic seeds basically everywhere. As faraway as Russia and colonial America made shelf-stable alcohol from sour milk. Besides making “milk vodka” those same Russians threw a live frog in their milk to keep it fresh. In 2012, a Russian scientist with a childhood of frog milk proved that a certain type of frog would indeed preserve milk. Another fun fact is that ketchup was created in Southeast Asia. Macadamia nuts all descended from a single tree in Queensland Australia. I could go on and on. It’s all fascinating.

Sorted by continent and then by country/region, there is a brief description of the food or place, a bit of its history, and a photograph or drawing. I had great fun reading about the strange foods and rituals from around the world. Gastro Obscura would be a great gift for the newly retired, those looking for exotic places to travel, or anyone who enjoys reading about different cultures. 5 stars and one of my favorites!

Thanks to Workman Publishing Company and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Interesting concept. The execution is a little haphazard. Some are great origin stories, but others are just bland. I would love for more stories to show. Review copy with what seems to be missing information under some headlines and pictures.

If you were one of the many millions who was infatuated with this publishers Atlas Obscura (and who wasn’t?), you’ll love the same formula applied to food and food customs the world over. Investigating the weird, the unusual, the prosaic and the disgusting in food and eating, the authors provide a wild and fascinating ride around the world