Book Review: How Our Love of Citrus Shaped the Modern World

October 15, 2024

1 reading minutes

Book Review: How Our Love of Citrus Shaped the Modern World

A History of Citrus Fruits, From the Han Dynasty to the Modern Orange Juice Industry

By Lucy Tu

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Citrus: A World History
by David J. Mabberley.
Thames and Hudson, 2024 ($50)

The relationship between people and citrus fruits is an ancient balance of push and pull, adaptation and adjustment. Botanist David J. Mabberley expertly traces this captivating saga, exploring commercial agreements that were forged through the taste of these fruits, extensive art inspired by their beauty, and medical and genetic innovations inspired by their biological properties. Mabberley’s vibrant account of citrus fruits, which begins with the Han Dynasty and ends with the modern orange juice industry, will fascinate history enthusiasts as much as it will delight design aficionados searching for the ideal coffee table book.