"This fascinating must-read for gardeners, growers and sustainability-minded food-lovers digs into the intriguing secret histories of vegetables."
An avid gardener since childhood, author Adam Alexander here shares his deep passion for, and knowledge of, the history of endangered “heritage vegetables”, enthusiastically explaining why we need to keep growing them, and revealing how vegetables are inextricably bound to the political landscape. The Seed Detective resounds with the zest of personal anecdotes, and has fascinating anthropological scope.
The author’s calling as a seed detective came during a 1988 film-making project in Ukraine when he became smitten by a fruit that “literally changed my life”. The fruit in question was Capsicum annuum, a “sweet pepper with a fiery heart” that set him off growing and sharing its seeds back home.
After contextualising why we need to save seeds, and highlighting problems brought by the industrial revolution, urbanisation and globalisation, and the need for a Green Revolution, the author shares details on the global histories of particular vegetables, among them peas, broad beans, and asparagus. The chapter on the Welsh leek is particularly fascinating as it explores the leek’s connections to Wales, but also traces its history back to Egypt and Mesopotamia some 4500 years ago.
The book ends with a rousing chapter on “seeds of hope”, outlining the positive shift to “re-learning traditional ways to produce food”. At the same time, Alexander points out a need for greater food equality, observing an “increasing divergence between those who can afford to eat organic and sustainably produced healthy food and those who can only afford the very cheapest and poorest quality [food]”.
Alexander’s storytelling skills from his work as a film and television producer are on radiant display here, making The Seed Detective an engaging, rewarding must-read for gardeners, growers, food-lovers, and those fascinated by the history and politics of food.
Radio 4's The Food Programme Book of the Year, chosen by Dan Saladino
Radio 4's The Food Programme Book of the Year, chosen by Dan Saladino An Irish Times Best Gardening Book 2023 Shortlisted for the Garden Media Guild's Garden Book of the Year Award 2023 Longlisted for The Art of Eating Prize 2023 'If you're a vegetable growing addict or just curious about their origins, there's something for everyone in Adam's new book.' Rob Smith, TV presenter '[This book] is a clarion call to think about our food in new ways and carefully consider where it comes from.' New Scientist Meet the Indiana Jones of vegetables on his quest to save our heritage produce. Have you ever wondered how everyday staples such as peas, kale, asparagus, beans, squash and sweetcorn ended up on our plates?
The Seed Detective features in the following genres: Gardening, Lifestyle, Hobbies and Leisure, Nature and the natural world: general interest, Cultural studies: food and society, Cookery / food by ingredient, Cookery / food by ingredient: fruit and vegetables, Gardening: plants and cultivation guides, Gardening: fruit and vegetable, Natural and wild gardening, Trees, wildflowers and plants: general interest, Cultural studies, Cultural and media studies, Society and culture: general, Society and Social Sciences, Cookery, Food and Drink, Specialised gardening methods
Paperback, Hardback. £11.69, down from the £12.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Seed Detective was written by Adam Alexander and published by Chelsea Green Publishing an imprint of Chelsea Green Publishing UK
The Seed Detective has 320 pages
£11.69, reduced from £12.99. In Stock.
