The Flavour Thesaurus UK Edition
Winner of the André Simon Award 2010
Winner of the Jeremy Round Award for Best First Book at the Guild of Food Writers Awards 2011
Shortlisted for the Tesco Food and Drink Book of the Year at the Galaxy National Book Awards 2010
Winner of Best Jacket / Cover Design at the British Book Design and Production Awards 2010
Ever wondered why one flavour works with another? Or lacked inspiration for what to do with a bundle of beetroot? The Flavour Thesaurus is the first book to examine what goes with what, pair by pair. The book follows the form of Roget’s Thesaurus.
The back section lists, alphabetically, 99 popular ingredients, and suggests classic and less well known flavour matches for each. The front section contains an entry for every flavour match listed in the back section and is organised into 16 flavour themes such a Bramble & Hedge, Green & Grassy, and Earthy.There are 980 entries in all and 200 recipes or suggestions are embedded in the text. It covers classic pairings such as pork & apple, lamb & apricot, and cucumber & dill; contemporary favourites like chocolate & chilli, lobster & vanilla, and goat’s cheese & beetroot; and interesting but unlikely-sounding couples including black pudding & chocolate, lemon & beef, blueberry & mushroom, and watermelon & oyster.
Beautifully packaged, The Flavour Thesaurus is not only a highly useful, and covetable, reference book that will immeasurably improve your cooking – it’s the sort of book that might keep you up at night reading.
In addition to the UK and US editions The Flavour Thesaurus has been (or is being) translated into 12 languages
Niki, I purchased your book this Christmas and just had to comment on how utterly brilliant it is!!!
Personally, I hate cookbooks because I love cooking experimentally, and The Flavour Thesaurus just guides me in the right direction to make some truly epic meals.
I am a great fan of all meats, so was delighted to read of new things to do that I had never even thought of such as Lamb & Anchovy, what a great combination!
Even though your book only contains pairing of flavours it is very easy to dig a little deeper through it and find other combinable flavours to make a great meal.
I hope this is not the end of your research in the field and look forward to hearing of your adventures in a future edition.
Sincerely
Bhanu Rana
PS – Do you have any more book signings coming up in the UK?
Dear Bhanu
Thank you very much for your kind comments – they’re much appreciated. Don’t know if you’re in or near London, but on Thursday Jan 20th (at 7pm) I’m doing a talk and signing at a bookshop called Woolfson & Tay in Bermondsey. See http://bit.ly/hHVbh4 for more details.
Best wishes
Niki
Unfortunately I am based in Cardiff so cannot make the talk.
Dear Niki,
I am Belgian and was in London this week-end where I discovered your book. I may say that the beautiful cover that attracted me first (pay my best regards to your graphic designer) and then the idea and the texts thrilled me.
I am planning to buy other copies for my friends and I see that you have edited a UK and US version. I would like to know what the difference is.
Do you also plan to translate it into French? It should be an excellent idea and a real success I think!
Thanks and best regards,
Florence
Dear Florence
Thank you and I’m very glad you’re enjoying the book. The differences between the UK and US texts are slight and are mainly a matter of spellings, vocabulary (aubergine / eggplant) and cultural reference. There will be a French version, out this autumn, and a Dutch version published by Podium in April.
Best wishes
Niki
Niki
I love love love your book. You’re a funny girl. And your recipe for prostitute pasta (putanesca; i’m funny too) finally got my mother to eat my cooking.
Thanks.
Niki
my daughter is studying Patisserie – does the book cover flavours that would work well together in this area of cooking?
Dear Di
The book covers classic, contemporary and unusual flavour pairings, many of which will be useful for a pastry student.
Hope that’s some help
Best wishes
Niki
I am oh so excited to purchase a copy, I’m from New Zealand and a little stumped as to where I could find it here? I would rather by locally before Amazon, but most definitely will head in that direction if I’m lost for ops, I WANT IT ASAP
not into waiting for freight
x
Hi there
Not sure which bookshops in New Zealand stock it, but you could get in touch with the distributors, Allen & Unwin, and ask them: contact details at http://www.allenandunwin.com/default.aspx?page=45
Otherwise you could order it from Fishpond, which ships free anywhere in NZ http://bit.ly/kQD3Ni
Best wishes
Niki
Hi Niki,
This book seems like the perfect fit for an iPad / iPhone app — any plans for the future?
Cheers,
_Linus
Dear Linus
Thanks for your interest. Nothing planned for the very near future…but watch this space.
Best wishes
Niki
Dear Niki,
I bought your book in August and it’s been such a great summer read. I’m a passionate amateur cook and your book has been so inspiring. Love not only the suggested pairings of ingredients and recipes but also your style of writing and your little anecdotes that made it so entertaining to read. Please continue writing, I look forward to your future books
Cheers,
Maria
Dear Maria
Thank you very much. I’m delighted you enjoyed it. I write a regular column in The Times if you’d like to read more.
Best wishes
Niki
Niki,
I’m completely blown away by your book – it is exactly what I didn’t know I was looking for!
I specialise in cocktail making, and I have to say that this has become my new Bible for coming up with some new, different ideas. I’m always interested in doing something a little different, and the flavour combinations in your book have been complete golden gems! Very popular with the clientele. Many thanks!
Ray
Dear Ray
Thank you very much. It’s exactly what I didn’t know I always wanted to write. Whereabouts is your bar?
Best wishes
Niki
Hi I am a food blogger and discovered your book a few months ago and I have to say I have never come accross a book relating to food that allows you to really prove that there is no limit to creativity. I know for certain that I will be using the tips in your book as insiration going forward with my recipes. You have opened up a whole new section of my brain! Thank you!
Dear Sumayya
Thank you so much – I’m delighted that you’re finding the book inspiring.
Best wishes
Niki
do you plan a french translation ?
thanks for your answer
Dear Maryline
Yes, the French edition will be published by Marabout in March 2012.
Best wishes
Niki
Dear Niki,
Just ordered your book after reading it at a friends house. Mouthwatering and excellent stuff. Are you also looking at wine pairings or something of a wine thesaurus, on the same level and with as much fun as the Flavour Thesaurus?
Dear Nico
Thanks for your kind comments. Not planning a wine-matching book, no – if you’re interested in that sort of thing I suggest you look at Fiona Beckett’s excellent website, Matching Food and Wine.
Best wishes
Niki