Sameness in Diversity, 72 - (California Studies in Food and Culture) by Laresh Jayasanker

The book "Sameness in Diversity" is a groundbreaking exploration of how Americans' eating habits have evolved over the past half-century.

Drawing on menus, cookbooks, trade publications, interviews, and company records, author Laresh Jayasanker uncovers the surprising ways in which immigration and globalization have shaped our diets.

From once-exotic ingredients like mangoes, hot sauces, kale, kimchi, and coconut milk to the consolidation of supermarket chains, this book reveals how food choices have expanded while the number of firms delivering goods has shrunk.

Jayasanker's inventive and clear-eyed study exposes the seemingly remote forces of globalization through a focus on the most intimate and universal cultural form: food.

Whether you're a history buff, foodie, or simply interested in understanding the complexities of American culture, "Sameness in Diversity" is an essential read.