1
of
1
Chillies
A Global History
Series: Edible
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 43 ratings, 8 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still
learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Summary
Read More
Format: Hardback
$2999
Unit price
/
Unavailable
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER
Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks
Found a better price? Request a price match
Chillies
$2999
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Despite their fearsome reputation, chillies have helped to shape the identities of innumerable world cuisines. Chillies
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
Despite their fearsome reputation, chillies have helped to shape the identities of innumerable world cuisines. Chillies traces the culinary journey of the spice and uncovers cultural and spiritual links between chillies and humans, from their use as an aphrodisiac, to the recent discovery that chilli heat shows promise as a treatment for neuropathic pain, prostate cancer, and leukaemia.
It also makes a compelling link between the history of global trade and conflict and the spread of spicy cuisine worldwide. Peppered with lively anecdotes and details of chilli taxonomy and ecology, this entertaining history is sure to spice up your bookshelf.
Series: Edible
View all-
Liqueur
Liqueur is a guide to the cultural history of liqueurs from a celebrated spirits journalist. The original recreational spirit, liqueurs travelled the Silk Road, awaited travellers at the Fountain of Youth, and traversed the globe from ancient times through the industrial revolution and beyond. In this thrilling exploration of liqueur's global history, Lesley Jacobs Solmonson describes how a bitter, medicinal...Hardback$3299Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Coconut
From curries to creamy pina coladas, enjoy a delectable global history of the many culinary incarnations of the coconut. The flavour and image of the coconut are universally recognisable, conjuring up sweet, exotic pleasures. Often called the "Swiss army knife" of the plant world, the versatile coconut can be an essential ingredient in savoury curries, or a sacred element in...Hardback$3299Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Gin
The story begins with the aromatic juniper berry, originally used by the Dutch to flavour the whisky-like genever. The drink then made its way to Britain, where cheap imitations laced with turpentine and other caustic fillers made it the drink of choice for poor eighteenth-century Londoners. Eventually replaced by the sweetened Old Tom style and then by London Dry, gin...Hardback$3499Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Hummus
This is a global history of hummus bi-tahina, the delicious combination of chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and garlic that we know and love as hummus. The story begins in the medieval kitchens of the Near and Middle East and ends with its rise in popularity in the Western world at the end of the twentieth century. This book also addresses the...Hardback$2999Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Melon
Perfumed, sweet, succulent, cooling; a ripe melon can be one of the most delicious of fruits. Sylvia Lovegren untangles the melon's long and complex history and follows the journeys of the varied fruits known as melons from the sandy wastes of the Kalahari Desert, to the ancient kingdom of Ur in Mesopotamia, to the exotic oases of the Silk Road,...Hardback$2999Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Rum
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum! A favourite of pirates, the molasses-coloured liquid brings to mind clear blue seas and weatherbeaten sailors. But enjoyment of rum spread far beyond the scallywags of the Caribbean. Charles Dickens savoured it in punch, George Washington served it at campaign rallies, Queen Victoria sipped it in the British Navy's grog, and Kamehameha...Hardback$3499Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Tequila
The ancient Mayans, Olmecs and Aztecs made pulque from the fermented sap of the agave plant, and later the Mexicans distilled tequila from agaves. Once described as like swallowing a 'yard of barbed wire', tequila has improved beyond recognition and exploded in popularity, and is now consumed in bars and homes worldwide. Featuring recipes for tequila-based cocktails, and offering advice...Hardback$2999Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Berries
Berries are enmeshed with human history. Widely available in nature, they have been part of the human diet for millennia, and today they inspire everything from lip-gloss flavours to amusement parks. However diminutive their size, berries are of such significance to Northern and Eastern Europeans that picking them in the wild is everyman's right, interwoven with their cultural identity -...Hardback$2999Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Breakfast Cereal
Simple, healthy, and comforting, breakfast cereals are a perennially popular way to start the day around the world. They have a long, distinguished, and surprising history—around 10,000 years ago, with the advent of agriculture, people began breaking their fast with porridges made from wheat, rice, corn, and other grains. It was only in the second half of the nineteenth century,...Hardback$3299Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Champagne
'This short volume, wittily illustrated and beautifully designed, is a pleasure both to look at and to consume. Which, given the subject matter, seems fitting.' The Spectator 'A sparkling history of the world's greatest wine. Stories, pictures and mouth-watering cocktails.' The Lady Champagne signals celebration, fun and camaraderie, embodying luxury and decadence as the preferred drink for any toast. Now...Hardback$3299Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Cod
This is the first culinary history of a truly remarkable fish. Elisabeth Townsend follows cod around the globe, showing how its pursuit began with the Vikings, and exploring its influence on human affairs ever since. The book looks at the different ways cod has been caught, cooked, and eaten, often by the descendants of explorers, enslaved people, and traders. Cod...Hardback$3299Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Chillies
Despite their fearsome reputation, chillies have helped to shape the identities of innumerable world cuisines. Chillies traces the culinary journey of the spice and uncovers cultural and spiritual links between chillies and humans, from their use as an aphrodisiac, to the recent discovery that chilli heat shows promise as a treatment for neuropathic pain, prostate cancer, and leukaemia. It also...Hardback$2999Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Chillies by Heather Arndt Anderson is praised for delivering a comprehensive and engaging exploration of chili peppers, tracing their history from their discovery and use in various global cuisines to their cultural and medicinal significance. The book is noted for its well-researched narrative, enriched by historical illustrations and complemented by recipes. Additionally, it discusses the broader impact of globalization and trade.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781780236353
Publisher: Reaktion Books
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 01 September 2016
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Reaktion Books
Illustration: 57 illustrations, 35 in colour
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 197.0mm
Height: 120.0mm
Weight: 600g
Pages: 152
About the Author
Heather Arndt Anderson is a food writer, culinary historian and botanist based in Portland, Oregon. She is the author of Chillies: A Global History (Reaktion, 2016), Breakfast: A History (2013) and Portland: A Food Biography (2014).
Also by Heather Arndt Anderson
View all-
Berries
Berries are enmeshed with human history. Widely available in nature, they have been part of the human diet for millennia, and today they inspire everything from lip-gloss flavours to amusement parks. However diminutive their size, berries are of such significance to Northern and Eastern Europeans that picking them in the wild is everyman's right, interwoven with their cultural identity -...Hardback$2999Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks
More from Cooking & Food
View all-
New ReleaseSoph's Plant Kitchen 30 in 30: 30g of protein, 30 minutes or less
An essential cookbook for anyone looking to increase the amount of plant protein and fibre they eat without spending hours in the kitchen. Instagram sensation and Sunday Times bestselling author @Sophsplantkitchen has created her very best plant-based, high fibre recipes: all with at least 30 grammes of protein, all on the table in 30 minutes or less and all mouth-wateringly...Hardback$4800Elsewhere:$6000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Lunchbox Bible
From the team behind the bestselling sensation Baby Food Bible, Lunchbox Bible is your go-to recipe book for feeding children healthy, allergen-friendly, and nutritionist-approved food that’s guaranteed to please. With 75 recipes and a visual library containing 75 different lunchboxes, this comprehensive guide has been carefully created with time-poor parents in mind. The recipes are simple, quick, nutrient-dense, and get...Hardback$4700Elsewhere:$5999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseDisney Moana: The Official Cookbook
Embark on a culinary adventure with Moana of Motunui with Pacific recipes inspired by Moana and Moana 2! After a long day of sailing to see how far you’ll go or keeping the demigod Maui out of trouble with Te Fiti, catch a break with the delicious dishes in Moana: The Official Cookbook! Featuring more than 50 recipes spanning the...Hardback$4499Elsewhere:$5299Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseFitwaffle's Easy 6
Discover how simple cooking can be every day with over 100 easy, tasty recipes using only 6 ingredients. "My mission is simple. I want to help people feel more confident in the kitchen and show that baking and cooking don't need to be complicated. Whether you're brand new in the kitchen or you've been doing it for years, my goal...Hardback$4199Elsewhere:$5000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseSo Good Express
Simple, nutritious recipes for when time is of the essence. Bringing together delicious and easy-to-follow recipes with the sound advice of a fully qualified nutritionist, number one bestselling author Emily English shows us that good food can make you feel amazing and bring you joy, every single day. Blending her nutrition expertise with a love of simple, fresh food, Emily...Hardback$4799Elsewhere:$6000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseBBQ
Britain's best-selling chef shares his BBQ passion and secrets. We all love a good BBQ, but too often they centre around some slightly burnt sausages and burgers. Not anymore! Jamie's got 90 recipes to show us just how brilliant and versatile barbecuing can be, whatever the season. With recipes suitable for both charcoal and gas BBQs, Jamie shares his key...Hardback$5499Elsewhere:$7000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseNo Stress Recipe Queen
Take the chaos out of the kitchen every night of the week with the Masterchef favourite, globally beloved Insta cook and bestselling author of Air Fryer Queen and Easy Dinner Queen. Welcome to the No Stress Dinner Club! Put major taste on the table with these delicious, easy and stress-free recipes by the bestselling queen of simple, fun, and fuss-free...Paperback$2900Elsewhere:$3299Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
My Mediterranean Life
Transform your health and boost your energy with more than 200 easy, delicious recipes for weight loss, longevity and disease prevention.Bestselling clinical nutritionist Sarah Di Lorenzo combines her family's cherished recipes, her extensive clinical expertise and science-backed research to present a contemporary adaptation of the Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet involves the type of eating observed in the world’s Blue Zones...Paperback$3699Elsewhere:$4699Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Hungry Cook
Olivia Galletly, aka The Hungry Cook, loves food - all food. She spends her life creating recipes for her popular blog, Dish magazine, and many well-known New Zealand food brands. Olivia loves to create delicious recipes for the everyday cook, many of which are adaptations of old classics she's loved and experimented with for years. This cookbook gathers Liv's tried...Paperback$3799Elsewhere:$4500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Fatimas
Fatima’s has been serving bold, fresh flavour to Aucklanders since 1995–now, with more than 100 recipes, you can bring a little of that magic into your own kitchen. This book is packed with the dishes and techniques that have kept our kitchen humming for 30 years. From slow cuts to zesty salads, from punchy sauces to late-night pitas, each recipe...Hardback$5499Elsewhere:$5999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Nadias Farm Kitchen
Nadia’s Farm Kitchen is a warm, inspiring, and deeply personal cookbook celebrating the rhythms of the seasons and the simple joys of life on the land. Featuring over 70 wholesome, seasonal recipes and more than a dozen heartfelt short stories about life on the farm, this book offers a unique glimpse into the life of beloved cook and TV personality Nadia...Hardback$4400Elsewhere:$5500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Simple Dinners Every Day
'This book is here to help! Whether you're here to completely change the way you plan and cook, or just to find a few go-to dinners that will stop you from panic-ordering takeaway, I've got you.' With more than 3 million followers, Nicole Maguire of Simple Home Edit is loved for her flavour-packed, family-friendly dinner ideas, from cosy bakes that...Paperback$3799Elsewhere:$4999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
Cooking & Food lists from the team
Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!
-
![]()
![]()
![]()
Lizzy's listCooking & Food
Cookbooks for Eating Plant Based
I (Lizzy) used to be vegan for a few years, and my husband still is. Now I eat vegetarian, he eats vegan,...View the list -
![]()
![]()
![]()
Lizzy's listCooking & Food
Cookbooks for Kids!
I love that there are such an amazing range of cookbooks for tamariki to get involved with making food and learning the...View the list -
![]()
![]()
![]()
Lizzy's listCooking & Food
Lizzy's Top 10 Favourite Cookbooks
As a bit of a cookbook collector here are some of my absolute favourites including the ones I gift to others, the...View the list -
![]()
![]()
![Gluten Free Bakes]()
Lizzy's listCooking & Food
The Best Gluten Free Cookbooks
I got diagnosed as Coeliac last year which came as a big surprise! Finding amazing Gluten Free cookbooks has really helped me...View the list -
![]()
![Thyme to Cook]()
![Always Delicious]()
Shirl's listCooking & Food
Popular Upcoming Cookbook Releases for 2026
There are so many cookbooks being released in 2026 that we are excited for! We have a range of Aotearoa cookbook authors...View the list
