The Ottoman Empire's food reflected the lives of people from sultans to soldiers, binding them together and serving symbolic functions in the social, religious, political, and military spheres. Bountiful Empire: A History of Ottoman Cuisine explores the food of the empire over five centuries, drawing on primary and secondary sources and including over one hundred illustrations. It offers a fresh and lively insight into an empire that has been sidelined or viewed through orientalist spectacles.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 14 May 2018
Publisher: Reaktion Books

The Ottoman Empire, a vast and enduring empire, left an indelible mark on the world through its rich and diverse culinary traditions. Food played a central role in the lives of people from sultans to soldiers, uniting them across different classes and backgrounds. This comprehensive book, "Bountiful Empire: A History of Ottoman Cuisine," delves into the evolution of Ottoman cuisine over more than five centuries, tracing its roots back to the culinary traditions of the Central Asian Turks, Abbasids, Seljuks, and Byzantines. It explores various aspects of this culinary culture, including etiquette, cooks, restaurants, military food, food laws, and food trade. Drawing on over six hundred primary and secondary sources, including archive documents and poetry, the book features over one hundred illustrations. It offers a fresh and lively perspective on an empire that has often been overlooked or portrayed through orientalist lenses. The Ottoman Empire's culinary traditions were shaped by a blend of influences, including geography, religion, and trade. The empire's vast territory encompassed diverse regions, from the Mediterranean to the Middle East and North Africa, and this diversity was reflected in its cuisine. The book highlights the importance of food in shaping the social, religious, political, and military spheres of Ottoman society. It explores the role of food in defining identity, celebrating festivals, and commemorating important events. The book also delves into the culinary practices of different social classes, including the sultan's court, the military, and the common people. It highlights the importance of food in maintaining social hierarchies and the role of chefs and cooks in creating and preserving culinary traditions. The book also explores the impact of food trade on the Ottoman Empire's economy and the development of new culinary techniques and ingredients. It highlights the importance of food in shaping the cultural identity of the empire and its influence on neighboring regions. Overall, "Bountiful Empire: A History of Ottoman Cuisine" is a captivating and informative book that sheds light on the rich and diverse culinary traditions of the Ottoman Empire. It offers a fresh perspective on an empire that has often been overlooked or portrayed through orientalist spectacles, and it provides valuable insights into the role of food in shaping the social, religious, political, and military spheres of Ottoman society.

The Ottoman Empire: A Culinary Legacy

The Ottoman Empire, spanning over five centuries, was one of the largest and longest-lasting empires in history. Its vast territory, diverse population, and complex political structure shaped its culinary traditions, which played a significant role in the lives of people from sultans to soldiers. Food bound people of different classes and backgrounds together, defining identity and serving symbolic functions in the social, religious, political, and military spheres.