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Summary:
Like most Americans, Steve Ettlinger eats processed foods. And, like most consumers,....
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Like most Americans, Steve Ettlinger eats processed foods. And, like most consumers, he often reads the ingredients label--without a clue as to what most of it means. 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 corn fields in Iowa, from gypsum mines in Oklahoma to the vanilla harvest in Madagascar, Twinkie, Deconstructed is a fascinating, thoroughly researched romp of a narrative that 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 with a strange name--all for the sake of creating a simple snack cake. An insightful exploration into the 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. About the Author: Steve Ettlinger is the author of numerous consumer products books, including "Beer For Dummies," "The Hardware Cyclopedia," "Kitchenware Book," and "The Restaurant Lover's Companion." About the Narrator: Based in Seattle, Mark Lund has appeared on-stage at the Taproot Theatre, including as part of the Garland Award-nominated ensemble of “Terra Nova.” In addition, Mark has done radio and tv voiceover work for companies such as FedEx, Eddie Bauer, T-Mobile, Microsoft and Qwest, and has performed on a number of video games including F.E.A.R, SWAT 4 and the “Backyard Sports” series.