Schivelbush

Tastes of Paradise by Wolfgang Schivelbusch was an interesting read for me. My mother was a professional chef and knowing spices and how to use them effectively was something that was a natural part of my childhood. It was interesting to see the similarities between the fervor expressed for salt and pepper in medieval times and the zeal that those same spices held for my mother.

Besides the exploration of spices and how they went from the pleasure dishes of royalty to everyday food flavoring, I also enjoyed the focus on ritual. Last semester I wrote a column about how important Dunkin Donuts coffee is in my life. My mornings at home always start the same way. I walk to Dunkin Donuts and enjoy the silence of my neighborhood at 6am. I enter the store and the employees are always happy to see me. If there is not a long line they ask me about my weekend or plans for the day. Then comes the best part; one of the women hands me a medium hazelnut with extra cream and no sugar. Even with all of their customers, they know exactly what I want. It is usually ready for me when I get to the counter.

After I have my morning treat in hand I walk back home. I then put my coffee in the microwave and as it gets to a temperature that most people cannot bear, I get down my favorite mug. After my coffee is piping hot, I pour a few swallows into my mug and sit down with the paper. I never pour more than a small amount of coffee at a time because I want it to stay warm for as long as possible.

This is my morning routine and while most people might find it ridiculous, I have a hard time getting through the day without it. Looking at the recounting of the ways to properly snort snuff seemed a tad absurd at first, but then I realized that having a specific way of doing something is part of the joy of the actual consumption. 

Charisse Willis