There are some ingredients that are so adaptable they appear in dishes all over the world. This book looks at the seven most important – the culinary wonders: rice, salt, honey, pork, tomato, chili and cacao. These are the ones ones that have played a long and valuable role in human life, and this book traces their epic journeys, as they have been transported around the globe to feature in cuisines far away from their countries of origin. As well as telling their diverse culinary and cultural stories, there are 63 traditional and innovative recipes – with one of the ingredients in the starring role – for readers to try. This is the fascinating history of the world’s seven most important ingredients and an enchanting exploration of world cuisine.