The Gourmand's Lemon. a Collection of Stories and Recipes - Hardcover

About the Book

Join the culinary experts at The Gourmand on an in-depth exploration of the literary, linguistic, historic, and gastronomic legacy of lemons, where the line between food and art is happily blurred. Featuring original recipes that celebrate the versatility and complexity of the king of citrus in the second volume of the best-selling series.

Book Synopsis

The deceptively simple lemon takes center stage in the second volume of TASCHEN's collaboration with The Gourmand, masters of the rich intersection of food and art. The star of Renaissance gardens, that shaped the Medici dynasty, have the power to ward off scurvy, had a hand in forming the mob, and whose juice has been used as an invisible ink since 600 CE to pen covert messages, these joyful yellow orbs are ripe with intrigue. The Gourmand charts the fruit's astonishingly intricate genealogy, explores its role as a literary device for the likes of Joan Didion, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Tom Wolfe, and James Joyce, and examines its unique representation of the American dream through lemonade stands. A favorite subject of art history's giants, the lemon captivates in the still lifes of Old Masters and inspired the breakthroughs of modern visionaries like Picasso, Matisse, and Warhol. Lemons also find themselves at the cutting edge of design in Philippe Starck's iconic Juicy Salif and the unassuming yet revolutionary Jif Lemon. Their presence extends to the decorative arts, gracing everything from Arts and Crafts wallpapers to mythological ceramics. Even the famed Bloomsbury Group found lemons entangled in their literary love affairs. Accompanying these citrus-centric anecdotes are a foreword by chef and acclaimed food writer Simon Hopkinson and an introduction by art critic and author Jennifer Higgie alongside more than 60 lemon-infused recipes across global cuisines and for every occasion--including perfect poultry, decadent sauces, classic cocktails, and indulgent desserts, with custom photography by Bobby Doherty.

Review Quotes

"This is a book of incredible beauty and would make the perfect gift for someone who loves the visual aspects of food... If you know anyone who is a fan of lemons, for whatever reason, then they'll absolutely love this."-- "Dorset Magazine"

"The text is funny and surprising, the recipes fabulous."-- "Financial Times"

"You'll come away with a renewed appreciation for the lemons languishing in your fridge."-- "Los Angeles Times"

"A hybrid of illustrated book and cookbook pays tribute to the lemon... The Gourmand puts it on a par with salt and pepper, because it has a similarly elementary significance for the development of the art of cooking and gives even the most banal dish a stimulating note."-- "Welt am Sonntag"

"It makes your mouth water just looking at the cover of the book and seeing The Gourmand's Lemon on the table... The sight alone is the start of summer."-- "n-tv"

"A book pays homage to the queen of citrus fruits, provides simple recipes and is dedicated to the question: why does the lemon make you happy?"-- "ORF"

"An ode to the lemon and a concentrate of art, cinema, history and literature."-- "Corriere della Sera"

"The lemon book by TASCHEN is a kind of almanac about the much-loved Citrus Limon, as the botanical name goes. The lemon as a subject of painting, from Baroque artists to Henri Rousseau and Andy Warhol, as a motif in novels from Joan Didion to James Joyce."-- "Süddeutsche Zeitung"

"Truly a bible of good taste."-- "Eurowings Magazine"

"With The Gourmand's Lemon, TASCHEN once again demonstrates its keen sense of design quality. This is evident not only in the excellent illustrations, but also in fine details such as the marbled endpapers, on which, of course, lemons are wafting."-- "AD"

"This exceptional book explores the lemon's history, geneaology, poetry and delivers 60 or so recipes for which the lemon plays a decisive role. Tuna steak 'al salmoriglio, lemon tagliolini, roast chicken, tagines, lemon cakes and tarts, lemon curd and various other precious condiments, but also classic and creative cocktails: all elevating this magical fruit. Gorgeous photos by Bobby Doherty."-- "Les Pieds dans le Plat de Gilles Pudlowski"

"The Gourmand's second book has the same immaculate and imaginative quality."-- "D di Repubblica"

"A beautifully illustrated and amply documented bible that gives us a full tour around the ball of energy that inspired so many painters, musicians...and recipes."-- "M Le Monde"

"A sharp anthology of recipes, stories and visuals championing a fruit bowl staple."-- "Creative Review"

"In addition to its many cultural references, this rich volume presents 60 recipes that celebrate the lemon's incredible versatility in the kitchen."-- "Sky Arte"

"More than 60 lemony recipes to inspire your culinary exploits."-- "Harper's Bazaar"

"The secret life of lemons."-- "Marie Claire Maison"

"This gem of a book takes us on a fascinating journey on the citrus trail."-- "Marie Claire"

"Lemons are symbols, ciphers, ingredients; conduits for meaning and metaphors; little cathedrals, fruit for dreaming."-- "Jennifer Higgie"

"Since launching out of London a handful of years ago, The Gourmand has garnered a cult following for its whimsical take on contemporary food and culture."-- "New York Magazine"