Histories of Taste and Tasting History

Will Tullett

Histories of Taste and Tasting History

History

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Abstract

This chapter offers an account of the history of taste - where it comes from and where it might go - split into two parts. The first focuses on histories of taste, starting with early and influential sociological narratives about taste over time before moving on to consider taste and its relationship with social status, knowledge, production, and the role of tasting in consumption. The second section focuses on how historians might use their tongues in the course of their research - tasting history rather than the history of taste. This section argues that by tasting, historians can think about the relationship between humans and other animals, the temporal continuity and discontinuity of taste sensations, and new ways of engaging the public with research in the history of the senses. It finishes with a call to arms that is worth repeating in this abstract: Historians of the world, taste! You have nothing to lose but your appetite.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	The Routledge History of the Senses
Editors	Will Tullett, Andrew Kettler
Publisher	Routledge
Chapter	4
Pages	87-105
ISBN (Electronic)	9781003322924
Publication status	Published - Jun 2025

Cite this

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