Author Profile

Marcus Thorne

Story researcher and writer for The Foods That Shaped Us

Focused on preservation, staple foods, food economies, migration, and the ingredients that shaped daily life across civilizations.

PreservationStaple foodsFood economiesMigration

Articles are reviewed against cited sources and editorial standards.

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67 articles

Articles by Marcus Thorne

Roman mosaic of a fish-sauce bottle associated with garum
ingredients

Garum

The fermented fish sauce that flavored Rome and moved through Mediterranean trade

Roman Mediterranean8 min read
Shredded sauerkraut in a ceramic bowl
ingredients

Sauerkraut

The fermented cabbage that carried salt, winter storage, and migration history

Central and Eastern Europe8 min read
Creamy yogurt in a bowl with honey and fruit
ingredients

Yogurt

The fermented milk that fed nomads, empires, and modern wellness culture

Central Asia and Anatolia7 min read
A steaming bowl of ramen with noodles, egg, and broth
dishes

Ramen

The noodle soup that transformed postwar hunger into global obsession

Japan8 min read
High resolution image of Almond - historical ingredient
ingredients

Almond

The fascinating history of almond

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Apricot - historical ingredient
ingredients

Apricot

The fascinating history of apricot

Worldwide6 min read
Green globe artichokes with tightly layered edible flower buds
ingredients

Artichoke

The fascinating history of artichoke

Mediterranean6 min read
High resolution image of Asparagus - historical ingredient
ingredients

Asparagus

The fascinating history of asparagus

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Barley - historical ingredient
ingredients

Barley

The fascinating history of barley

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Basil - historical ingredient
ingredients

Basil

The fascinating history of basil

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Beans - historical ingredient
ingredients

Beans

The fascinating history of beans

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Beetroot - historical ingredient
ingredients

Beetroot

The fascinating history of beetroot

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Blackberry - historical ingredient
ingredients

Blackberry

The fascinating history of blackberry

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Blueberry - historical ingredient
ingredients

Blueberry

The fascinating history of blueberry

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Broccoli - historical ingredient
ingredients

Broccoli

The fascinating history of broccoli

Worldwide6 min read
Green cabbage heads with broad outer leaves
ingredients

Cabbage

The fascinating history of cabbage

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Carrot - historical ingredient
ingredients

Carrot

The fascinating history of carrot

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Cashew - historical ingredient
ingredients

Cashew

The fascinating history of cashew

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Cauliflower - historical ingredient
ingredients

Cauliflower

The fascinating history of cauliflower

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Celery - historical ingredient
ingredients

Celery

The fascinating history of celery

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Cherry - historical ingredient
ingredients

Cherry

The fascinating history of cherry

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Chickpea - historical ingredient
ingredients

Chickpea

The fascinating history of chickpea

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Coconut - historical ingredient
ingredients

Coconut

The fascinating history of coconut

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Cranberry - historical ingredient
ingredients

Cranberry

The fascinating history of cranberry

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Cucumber - historical ingredient
ingredients

Cucumber

The fascinating history of cucumber

Worldwide6 min read
Clusters of brown dates from the date palm
ingredients

Dates

The fascinating history of dates

Ancient Near East & North Africa6 min read
High resolution image of Eggplant - historical ingredient
ingredients

Eggplant

The fascinating history of eggplant

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Fig - historical ingredient
ingredients

Fig

The fascinating history of fig

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Grapefruit - historical ingredient
ingredients

Grapefruit

The fascinating history of grapefruit

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Hazelnut - historical ingredient
ingredients

Hazelnut

The fascinating history of hazelnut

Worldwide6 min read
Whole and sliced kiwifruit showing green flesh and black seeds
ingredients

Kiwi

The fascinating history of kiwi

China / New Zealand6 min read
High resolution image of Leek - historical ingredient
ingredients

Leek

The fascinating history of leek

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Lentil - historical ingredient
ingredients

Lentil

The fascinating history of lentil

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Lettuce - historical ingredient
ingredients

Lettuce

The fascinating history of lettuce

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Mango - historical ingredient
ingredients

Mango

The fascinating history of mango

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Melon - historical ingredient
ingredients

Melon

The fascinating history of melon

Worldwide6 min read
Fresh green mint leaves with serrated edges
ingredients

Mint

The fascinating history of mint

Europe, North Africa & Asia6 min read
Whole and cracked nutmeg seeds with mace
ingredients

Nutmeg

The spice that turned the Banda Islands into a battleground of empire

Banda Islands, Indonesia6 min read
High resolution image of Oats - historical ingredient
ingredients

Oats

The fascinating history of oats

Worldwide6 min read
Whole and sliced sweet oranges with bright orange peel
ingredients

Orange

The fascinating history of orange

Southern China & Southeast Asia6 min read
High resolution image of Papaya - historical ingredient
ingredients

Papaya

The fascinating history of papaya

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Parsley - historical ingredient
ingredients

Parsley

The fascinating history of parsley

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Peach - historical ingredient
ingredients

Peach

The fascinating history of peach

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Peanut - historical ingredient
ingredients

Peanut

The fascinating history of peanut

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Pear - historical ingredient
ingredients

Pear

The fascinating history of pear

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Pecan - historical ingredient
ingredients

Pecan

The fascinating history of pecan

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Plum - historical ingredient
ingredients

Plum

The fascinating history of plum

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Pomegranate - historical ingredient
ingredients

Pomegranate

The fascinating history of pomegranate

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Pumpkin - historical ingredient
ingredients

Pumpkin

The fascinating history of pumpkin

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Radish - historical ingredient
ingredients

Radish

The fascinating history of radish

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Raspberry - historical ingredient
ingredients

Raspberry

The fascinating history of raspberry

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Rosemary - historical ingredient
ingredients

Rosemary

The fascinating history of rosemary

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Sesame - historical ingredient
ingredients

Sesame

The fascinating history of sesame

Worldwide6 min read
High resolution image of Soybean - historical ingredient
ingredients

Soybean

The fascinating history of soybean

Worldwide6 min read
Colorful street tacos with fresh toppings
dishes

Tacos

The ancient Mesoamerican food that conquered the world

Mexico (Valley of Mexico)7 min read
Bright yellow lemons on tree branches
ingredients

Lemon

The citrus that conquered scurvy and cocktails

Northeast India / Myanmar6 min read
Golden pineapple against tropical backdrop
ingredients

Pineapple

The tropical crown jewel of hospitality

South America (Paraguay/Brazil)6 min read
Yellow mustard seeds and prepared mustard
ingredients

Mustard

The tiny seed with a mighty bite

India / Mediterranean6 min read
Fresh oysters on a bed of ice
ingredients

Oysters

From poor man's food to luxury delicacy

Worldwide coastal regions7 min read
Perfectly marbled beef steak on a cutting board
ingredients

Beef

From sacred aurochs to global steakhouses

Near East (domesticated cattle)8 min read
Artisan cheese wheels aging on wooden shelves
ingredients

Cheese

The accidental discovery that became an art form

Middle East / Central Asia8 min read
Precious saffron threads in a golden bowl
ingredients

Saffron

The most expensive spice ever harvested

Greece / Iran7 min read
Fresh garlic bulbs with papery skin
ingredients

Garlic

The stinking rose that wards off more than vampires

Central Asia7 min read
Colorful heritage corn varieties
ingredients

Corn / Maize

The New World grain that transformed global agriculture

Mexico (Tehuacan Valley)7 min read
Raw sugar crystals in warm golden light
ingredients

Sugar

The sweet crystal that reshaped the world

New Guinea / India8 min read
Golden beer in a glass with foam head
drinks

Beer

The ancient brew that may have started agriculture

Mesopotamia / Fertile Crescent7 min read
Coarse sea salt crystals on a dark wooden surface
ingredients

Salt

The mineral that launched wars and built empires

Worldwide — earliest harvesting in China and Romania7 min read