A History of the World in Twelve Beans
On the role of beans in human history: from revolutions to modern genetics
Beans have never been sexy. Throughout history, they’ve always been seen as a poor person’s alternative to meat. And yet beans, apart from being incredibly nutritious and good for soil, have played a fundamental role in the human story. Culinary journalist Joël Broekaert brings us a playful world history, as told through twelve beans – or rather, ten plus two which we often consider beans but aren’t really: coffee and cacao.
The domestication of beans during the neolithic revolution was essential to our shift from huntergatherers to farmers. No surprise then that lentils feature prominently in the Old Testament. Fermented soy beans powered imperial China, just as fava beans enabled a population explosion in medieval Europe. Where Mendel’s experiments with peas laid the foundation for modern genetics, coffee beans turbocharged the French Revolution.
They are also connected with oppression and popular struggle: the common bean – and its many varieties (kidney, borlotti, green, white, etc.) – first made its way around the world after Colombus’ ‘discovery’ of the Americas, and cacao beans were a major driver of the transatlantic slave trade. In the United States, black-eyed peas emerged as a proud symbol of Black identity, while chickpeas remain a point of contention for identity politics in the Middle East. Above all, perhaps, beans are our future: in these times of climate crisis, legumes such as lupin beans hold the key to juicy meatalternatives and sustainable food systems.
A grandiose story of humanity, as told through humble legumes
The story of humans and beans is one that touches every continent (except Antarctica)
Beans are our past, present and future
Year of publication
2023
Page count
144
Publisher
Atlas Contact
Rights
Diana Gvozden
d.gvozden@schonbach.nl
Sample translation available
“The book reads like a novel, like a playful attempt to bring beans closer to people and their plates. Required reading material for those in need of a little help during these dark months – because that’s what all those beans do.”
“An ode to the bean and the ultimate rehabilitation of honor to this ancient crop. Together, the stories form a delightful and original piece of world history. Superb!”
More Non-Fiction
The Healthcare Gap
Medicine has traditionally been based on the male body, with women as bycatch, but women are not just smaller men. In scientific research, female patients remain alarmingly underrepresented, and today there is still no equality between men and women as patients, despite growing proof of the differences. And female medical professionals themselves still need further emancipation in their roles.
On Another Planet They Can Save Me
In 2017, poet and novelist Lieke Marsman was diagnosed with a rare type of bone cancer. After enduring various rounds of chemo, she was told her illness was terminal. Still, she is continuing with treatment – radiotherapy, immunotherapy, operations. Living for years with death has changed Lieke’s worldview, and On Another Planet They Can Save Me is a poetic and philosophical exploration of the need to embrace the unknown.
Another Russia
Is Russia so unique that we can’t understand its people? Putin would like us to think so, and it’s why he has to defend against the ‘decadent West’. Meanwhile, our own stubborn myths about the enigmatic ‘Russian Soul’ only confirm his narrative. If we ever hope to see peace in Europe, renowned Russia-expert Sjeng Scheijen argues, we had better look at what we share. After all, one can’t win a war of ideas with bombs alone.
Lucy’s Daughters
While some see gender inequality as a natural phenomenon, the history of economics reveals a very different story. Jan Luiten van Zanden’s research focuses on the complex interplay between the social status of women and economic development. In this panoramic work, he examines the historical roots of gender inequality throughout Eurasia, and its socio-economic consequences today.
-martijn-de-vre-1713516803.png&w=640&q=75)