In Good Spirits
Alcohol was an integral part of diplomacy in early modern Russia.
Food & Drink
The Politics of Pancakes
In England, Shrove Tuesday has not just symbolised feasting, fasting and family, but riot and rebellion, too.
The Culinary Enlightenment
The belief that you are what you eat emerged in 19th-century France, where the pleasures of the table were sautéed with philosophy and medicine.
The Rules of Drinking
The long history of drinking games – and how to win them.
Public and Private Pleasures
Coffeehouses and coffee were not as closely related as one might think.
A History of Haggis
The origins of haggis are as mysterious as the Loch Ness Monster.
The History of the Picnic
From high life to country living.
Enchiladas, a Culinary Monument to Colonialism
While finding its origins in royal Aztec feasts, the everyday Tex-Mex enchilada is more a product of colonialism and prejudice than authentic heritage.
A Short History of Sushi
The Japanese dish of humble origins that conquered the world.
Goulash
Though long established as the national dish of Hungary, its origins lie with the rootless, itinerant stockmen who roamed the plains of medieval Mitteleuropa.