The Complete Language of Food from S Theresa Dietz is both a useful resource and a fun book to flip through and learn about some food sources you might not have known about.

Its primary function is as a resource for those who want to know more about the foods (more specifically the ingredients in your favorite dishes) they eat and discover other things to try. Alphabetical by scientific name, with a cross reference by common name to make finding easier, you'll learn about what their actual and/or perceived powers are as well as any mythological or folk background. There are also symbols to alert you to possible toxicity or medicinal use.

For me, this served that purpose, but my enjoyment really came from skimming the book (this isn't really a sit and read cover to cover book) and reading the "possible powers" and "folklore and facts" sections. Many of these sent me on quests to learn a little more, which I always appreciate from any book.

This is attractive enough to be left out on display while also serving whatever function it might serve in your lifestyle. Highly recommended for those wanting to better understand the foods they eat and perhaps even why some foods appeal to you and others don't.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. ( )