REVIEW - Eight Flavors (audiobook)

 Eight Flavors by Sarah Lohman (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

This audiobook about the top American food flavors was interesting and fun! The author included eight flavors, but there really were ten. The eight flavors included are black pepper, vanilla, chili powder, curry powder, soy sauce, garlic, MSG, and sriracha. Chocolate and coffee are also American flavors, but she didn't include them because Sarah felt they had been previously extensively researched. 

The author didn't fully explain her research methodology as much as I would have liked. Using Google to track the usage of "American food flavor words" could have been more extensive. But, ultimately, I enjoyed her research and wanted more details and the inclusion of chocolate and coffee. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars

Writing: 4.5 stars

Sarah is a great writer and educator. She thoroughly explained each flavor without making the listener feel uneducated about the research that she uncovered. The author has a warm and friendly writing style which I enjoyed. 

Narration: 4.0 stars

The author is a good narrator. She narrates well while also being funny and breaking the "third wall" at appropriate times. Sarah did a great job at keeping me interested in this book. 

Character Arc: 4.0. stars

The audiobook has a chapter or chapters dedicated to each American flavor. It made it easy to listen to one or two chapters about a flavor and then stop. The end of each flavor was an easy stopping point as was its own little flavor book. 

My biggest issue is the inclusion of siracha. This condiment is relatively new to the American food scene and hasn't had enough time to prove that it is a "keeper" and not a food trend. Personally, I would have preferred salt, cinnamon, or oregano. 

Maybe, Sarah can do another book on American flavors!! She could do chocolate, coffee, salt, cinnamon, and oregano - that's already five flavors!

Memorable:  3.5 stars

The biggest takeaway is that Thomas Jefferson and the author are fellow migraine sufferers. Also, MSG does not cause migraines or "Chinese restaurant syndrome". 

Entertaining:   4.0 stars

Sarah is a good storyteller. She must be so much fun to prepare, eat, and discuss food with. 

Book cover: 4.0 stars

A little cramped and busy.      

Book title: 4.0 stars 

On point. 

DEFINITE recommend

STATISTICS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)

Eight Flavors by Sarah Lohman

Tantor Audio

8 hours, 33 minutes

Release date of 12/6/2006

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Sarah Lohman

My Goodreads review

Tantor Audio

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜