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Extra virginity
238 pages
A fascinating, globe-trotting investigation that pours over the sacred history of a culinary staple before plunging into the murky, corrupt underworld of modern food fraud.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like stepping into a sun-drenched Mediterranean grove before being abruptly pulled into a tense, high-stakes boardroom. It moves at a brisk, investigative pace, balancing a deep, earthy reverence for ancient culinary traditions with an urgent, indignant tone regarding modern deception. The prose is sharp and deeply researched, seamlessly blending the sensory delights of artisanal cooking with the gritty realities of globalization and corporate crime. The emotional journey shifts from awe at the historical and health-giving properties of a sacred ingredient to shock at its widespread adulteration, ultimately landing on a hopeful note inspired by the activists and chefs fighting for purity. It is a perfect read for conscious consumers and culinary history buffs who crave a gripping, illuminating exposé hidden inside their pantry.
- Mood
- earthy
- tense
- illuminating
- culinary
- Tone
- investigative
- urgent
- reverent
- indignant
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- culinary history · food fraud and deception · artisanal craftsmanship · globalization and corruption · the sacred nature of food
- The writing
- Journalistic and deeply researched, balancing evocative descriptions of culinary traditions with sharp, hard-hitting investigative reporting.
- The arc
- Moves from a deep reverence for an ancient, life-giving tradition to righteous indignation over its modern corruption, ending with a hopeful appreciation for those fighting to preserve its purity.
- Who it's for
- Foodies, history buffs, and conscious consumers who love deep dives into the hidden crimes and rich traditions behind everyday pantry staples.
Content notes
- food adulteration
- corporate fraud
- toxic food products
About the book
For millennia, fresh olive oil has been one of life's necessities, not just as food but also as medicine, a beauty aid, and a vital element of religious ritual. Today's researchers are continuing to confirm the remarkable, life giving properties of true extra-virgin, and "extra-virgin Italian" has become the highest standard of quality. But what if this symbol of purity has become deeply corrupt? Starting with an explosive article in The New Yorker, the author has become the world's expert on olive oil and olive oil fraud, a story of globalization, deception, and crime in the food industry from ancient times to the present, and a powerful indictment of today's lax protections against fake and even toxic food products in the United States. It is also an account of the artisanal producers, chemical analysts, chefs, and food activists who are defending the extraordinary oils that truly deserve the name "extra-virgin."
Description from Open Library.
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