October 15, 2024
1 min read
Book Review: How Our Love for Citrus Shaped the Modern World
A history of citrus fruits, from the Han Dynasty to the modern orange juice industry
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Citrus: A World History
by David J. Mabberley.
Thames and Hudson, 2024 ($50)
The relationship between people and citrus is a millennia-long balance of push and pull, adaptation and adjustment. Botanist David J. Mabberley skillfully traces this captivating saga, exploring trade deals that have been forged through these fruits’ flavor, extensive art inspired by their beauty, and medical and genetic innovations inspired by their biological properties. Mabberley’s vibrant account of citrus, which begins with the Han Dynasty and ends with the modern orange juice industry, will fascinate history enthusiasts as much as it will delight design aficionados in search of the ideal coffee-table book.
