In developing countries, traditional fermentation serves many purposes. It can improve the taste of an otherwise bland food, enhance the digestibility of a food that is difficult to assimilate, preserve food from degradation by noxious organisms, and increase nutritional value through the synthesis of essential amino acids and vitamins. Although "fermented food" has a vaguely distasteful ring, bread, wine, cheese, and yogurt are all familiar fermented foods. Less familiar are gari, ogi, idli, ugba, and other relatively unstudied but important foods in some African and Asian countries. This book reports on current research to improve the safety and nutrition of these foods through an elucidation of the microorganisms and mechanisms involved in their production. Also included are recommendations for needed research.

Recent decades have witnessed increased interest in the foods of Africa, spurred on by the recurrent famines that have plagued the continent. It is now recognized that helping people to use their own knowledge of indigenous foods and agriculture provides better prospects for long-term sustainability than imposing solutions from outside. Yet to date there has been little documented information about the foods that are utilized by the poor of Africa, and particularly how these foods are preserved in a hostile environment for later use. This book is a unique compilation of both the general literature on Africa's fermented foods and beverages and of original research conducted by the author in Sudan. Information was gathered from elderly rural women who traditionally hand down such knowledge from generation to generation. With increased urbanization and dislocation of family structures, there is a danger that such knowledge might otherwise be lost forever. The various foods are considered in terms of their role in the struggle for survival and in the social fabric of rural Sudan, as well as from the perspectives of nutrition and food microbiology. The book is a major contribution to this literature, of interest to all concerned with food science, human nutrition and rural development.

First published in 2007. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Encyclopedia of Food Chemistry, Three Volume Set is the ideal primer for food scientists, researchers, students and young professionals who want to acquaint themselves with food chemistry. Well-organized, clearly written, and abundantly referenced, the book provides a foundation for readers to understand the principles, concepts, and techniques used in food chemistry applications. Articles are written by international experts and cover a wide range of topics, including food chemistry, food components and their interactions, properties (flavor, aroma, texture) the structure of food, functional foods, processing, storage, nanoparticles for food use, antioxidants, the Maillard and Strecker reactions, process derived contaminants, and the detection of economically-motivated food adulteration. The encyclopedia will provide readers with an introduction to specific topics within the wider context of food chemistry, as well as helping them identify the links between the various sub-topics. Offers readers a comprehensive understanding of food chemistry and the various connections between the sub-topics Provides an authoritative introduction for non-specialists and readers from undergraduate levels and upwards Meticulously organized, with articles structured logically based on the various elements of food chemistry

When Anila Prineveau Goldie accepted the job offer to teach in Khartoum, Sudan, she set out to overcome her fear of living in a Muslim country through befriending the local Sudanese. Written in a conversational style, her informative, entertaining, and authentic short stories will inspire you. You will experience a Hadendoa medicine man saving her life, a Muslim family keeping vigil over her when she is terribly ill, a feast prepared in her honor by women from a local mosque, an erotic wedding dance, and mortar fire exploding next to her hotel. She weaves together vivid descriptions of the exotic Sudanese Muslims along with insight, wisdom and lessons learned. A deep respect for all humanity shines through on every page of The Problem is Not Available: 364 Days in Sudan.

Ethnic American Food Today introduces readers to the myriad ethnic food cultures in the U.S. today. Entries are organized alphabetically by nation and present the background and history of each food culture along with explorations of the place of that food in mainstream American society today. Many of the entries draw upon ethnographic research and personal experience, giving insights into the meanings of various ethnic food traditions as well as into what, how, and why people of different ethnicities are actually eating today. The entries look at foodways—the network of activities surrounding food itself—as well as the beliefs and aesthetics surrounding that food, and the changes that have occurred over time and place. They also address stereotypes of that food culture and the culture’s influence on American eating habits and menus, describing foodways practices in both private and public contexts, such as restaurants, groceries, social organizations, and the contemporary world of culinary arts. Recipes of representative or iconic dishes are included. This timely two-volume encyclopedia addresses the complexity—and richness—of both ethnicity and food in America today.