When life gives you lemons… is a gastronomic and cultural journey that places the lemon at the heart of the second volume of TASCHEN’s collaboration with The Gourmand, the magazine where food and art constantly intersect.

This seemingly simple yellow orb reveals a history full of twists and turns, from its role in the Renaissance gardens linked to the Medici family to its ability to protect against scurvy, its connection to unexpected episodes in social history, and its use as invisible ink since 600 AD. The book traces the genealogy of this fruit and explores its presence as a literary device in the works of authors such as Joan Didion, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Tom Wolfe and James Joyce, as well as its association with the American dream through lemonade stands.

The lemon has also been a recurring motif in art, from classical still lifes to the inspiration for modern figures such as Picasso, Matisse and Warhol. Its influence extends to design and material culture, with icons such as Philippe Starck’s Juicy Salif or Jif Lemon, and appears in decorative arts, Arts and Crafts wallpapers and ceramics with mythological themes. With a foreword by chef Simon Hopkinson and an introduction by Jennifer Higgie, the book is rounded off with over 60 lemon-infused recipes from cuisines around the world, ranging from poultry and sauces to cocktails and desserts, photographed exclusively by Bobby Doherty.

Key features:

• Binding: Hardback.
• Pages: 272.
• Language: English