Twinkie, Deconstructed: My Journey to Discover How the Ingredients Found in Processed Foods Are Grown, M ined (Yes, Mined), and Manipulated into What America Eats - Softcover

Ettlinger, Steve

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0452289289 ISBN 13: 9780452289284

Publisher: Plume, 2008

Synopsis

A pop-science journey into the surprising ingredients found in most common packaged foods

Like most Americans, Steve Ettlinger eats processed foods. And, like most consumers, he didn't have a clue as to what most of the ingredients on the labels mean. So when his young daughter asked, Daddy, what's polysorbate 60?, he was at a loss and determined to find out.

From the phosphate mines in Idaho to the oil fields in China to the Hostess factories and their practices, Twinkie, Deconstructed demystifies some of the most common processed food ingredients, where they come from, how they are made, how they are used, and why. Beginning at the source (hint: they're often more closely linked to rock and petroleum than any of the four food groups), we follow each Twinkie ingredient through the process of being crushed, baked, fermented, refined, and/or reacted into a totally unrecognizable goo or powder, all for the sake of creating a simple snack cake.

An insightful exploration of the modern food industry, if you've ever wondered what you're eating when you consume foods containing mono- and diglycerides or calcium sulfate (the latter a food-grade equivalent of plaster of paris), this book is for you.  Consequently, as Hostess plans to permanently close its doors in 2012, this book will provide a relevant guide into the practices of one of the biggest companies of all time.

About this title

About the Author

Since 1988 Steve Ettlinger has written eight books and has produced, edited, or agented over 40. Steve specializes in explaining very common but complicated subjects in an entertaining way. His most popular book is about artificial food ingredients (Twinkie, Deconstructed); he gives presentations around the country about his work on this book. His first book, The Complete Illustrated Guide to Everything Sold in Hardware Stores, has remained in print for over 26 years and is now an eBook. Steve has appeared on many morning network TV shows in the course of publishing his books.For more information, or to see past TV interviews, please visit Steve's website, steveettlinger.com

From AudioFile

Its the quintessential snack treat, the subject of myth and legal proceedings. The Twinkie stands for all that is right and, perhaps, wrong with American processed food. The author examines each of the ingredients of the Twinkie, starting from the most common all the way to the unlisted less than 1 percent additives, such as color. He also examines where each ingredient comes from. Its a delicious lesson in organic chemistry, world trade, and gastronomic history. Mark Lund narrates with enthusiasm. He warms to the subject, and his tone engages listeners. He could have rendered the book as stale as a Twinkie past its sell-by date. Instead, like his topic, he is bouncy and fresh. R.C.G. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Edition details

• Publisher: Plume
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0452289289
• ISBN 13: 9780452289284
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 304