The Hungry Empire: How Britain’s Quest for Food Shaped the Modern World

Description

In The Hungry Empire, Lizzie Collingham explores the rich, complex history of how the British Empire influenced global food systems. Through twenty captivating meals—from a pineapple shared by an African chief and a slave trader to iguana curry in Guyana—Collingham shows how British trade networks brought together people, plants, and ingredients from every corner of the world. From tea and sugar to cod fish and salt beef, she reveals how the empire’s culinary exchanges have left an indelible mark on the landscapes and tastes we experience today. This journey through food uncovers the deep, often hidden connections between empire, commerce, and culture, illustrating how the meals we eat are a lasting legacy of global trade and colonial history.