Tasty: A Curious Adventure into How, What, and Why We Taste

Perfect for readers of all ages, Tasty is an engaging invitation to rediscover the everyday magic of flavor in a way that will leave you both satisfied and hungry for more.


The tongue is used to talk, to eat ice cream, to make faces, and sometimes to lick the plate. Thus begins a dazzling, extraordinary journey into the curious world of flavor.

Across its pages, Tasty tackles everyday questions with lucid and concrete answers: What does the tongue really do? Why do we crave sweets? How can an onion turn sweet and then bitter? Is spiciness a flavor or a sensation? Where does tasting end and smelling begin? As you read, you may find a flavor sneaking into your thoughts—or realize your mouth is watering.

From a four-handed duo—a poet-philosopher and a culinary critic—comes a vivid exploration that names the many tastes, marvels at them at every turn, discovers them in the most unexpected places, and explores how flavor connects with texture, smell, sight, color, and the emotions stirred by the full experience of food.

Micaela Chirif is a Peruvian author whose work spans both poetry and picture books, with recent ventures into informative books. She is the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Ala Orilla del Viento Award from Fondo de Cultura Económica (FCE), multiple inclusions in the White Ravens catalog, the Fundación Cuatrogatos Award, and the Hispano-American Prize for Poetry for Children.

Ignacio Medina is a culinary critic who began his career as a newspaper journalist. With 15 years of radio experience and a background as a scriptwriter for television programs, Medina has authored 80 cookbooks and has been honored with the prestigious National Gastronomy Award by the Spanish Academy of Gastronomy. He currently resides in Lima.

Andrea Antinori is an award-winning illustrator based in Bologna, Italy. He wrote and illustrated the book The Lives of Lemurs and Octopuses Have Zero Bones. Among many other recognitions, he is the recipient of the International Illustration Prize (Bologna International Children's Book Fair), Best International Illustrated Book (China Shanghai International Children's Book Fair), the Andersen Prize for Best Book 6-9 years olds, and the IBBY Honor List.