Gastro Obscura by Cecily Wong and Dylan Thuras

Though it is possible to get the answers to most questions with an online search or a quick call to Alexa, how wonderful to have this colourful, informative, and compelling encyclopaedia aptly styled as a food adventurers guide. Although finding the answers is easy, putting the book down without reading more is impossible.

From Kenyan fermented runner’s milk to the world’s last wild apple forest, how to prepare Escamoles – ant pupae and larvae – in Mexico, to what exactly is engastration (look it up) are just a few titbits randomly pulled from the book. Of course, not every fact or story is quite as startling as these examples, but the book does take you on a journey highlighting the incredible global diversity and fascinating food and drink out there.