ABOUT THE BOOK
Bittersweet, a Story of Food and Yemen
Bittersweet: A Story of Food and Yemen is a powerful celebration of Yemen’s rich culinary heritage and the deep cultural meaning of food in Yemeni society. Through vivid photography and insightful research, Bangladeshi photographer Sayed Asif Mahmud, with contributions from Marta Colburn and Jessica Olney, portrays how food is woven into the very fabric of Yemeni identity.
Set against Yemen’s striking landscapes, historic architecture, and warm social gatherings, the book explores the origins, evolution, and resilience of Yemeni food traditions. It reveals how agriculture, trade, and history have shaped distinctive preparation methods, everyday practices, and the cherished communal rituals that define Yemeni hospitality.
More than a culinary book, Bittersweet tells a deeper story—one of perseverance, dignity, and cultural pride in the face of hardship. It invites food enthusiasts, cultural explorers, and anyone curious about the Arab world to discover the soul of Yemen through the lends of its food culture, and to appreciate the solidarity and respect it represents.
OUR NEW TITLES
Sea of Pearls
Before the discovery of oil, the sea was the Gulf’s greatest wealth. Each summer, fleets of wooden dhows sailed out into the turquoise waters, their crews diving deep on a single breath, armed only with a nose clip, a stone weight, and a rope. They returned to the surface clutching oysters, hoping for the prize within pearls so perfect they adorned the crowns of kings and captivated the luxury markets of India and Europe.
Lorimer
In 1908, the British government quietly commissioned a vast and meticulous record of the Arabian Gulf and surrounding regions. Compiled by John Gordon Lorimer, a senior political officer in the Indian Civil Service, The Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, Oman and Central Arabia became one of the most extraordinary works of intelligence ever produced by a colonial administration.
Julius Euting
In the winter of 1883, German epigraphist Julius Euting and French-Alsatian geographer Charles Huber departed Damascus on a perilous journey into the heart of northern Arabia. Their mission: to uncover ancient inscriptions and reveal the region’s forgotten history.
In Praise of the Artisan
Across the Islamic world, artistry is not only preserved—it continues to evolve. From the rhythmic tapping of stone carvers in Rajasthan to the delicate calligraphy of Istanbul’s masters, from Cairo’s woodworkers to the skilled embroiderers of Makkah, crafts that have shaped homes, mosques, and cities for centuries are still vibrant today.
Bedouin Weaving
In the vast deserts of Arabia, where landscapes appear austere and endless, Bedouin women have for centuries created beauty from the simplest of materials. Using the wool of their camels, sheep, and goats, they wove vibrant textiles—bold geometric designs in deep reds, blacks, and whites—that adorned tents, protected families from the elements, and carried symbolic meaning.
A Journey to Arabia Felix
In the vast deserts of Arabia, where landscapes appear austere and endless, Bedouin women have for centuries created beauty from the simplest of materials. Using the wool of their camels, sheep, and goats, they wove vibrant textiles—bold geometric designs in deep reds, blacks, and whites—that adorned tents, protected families from the elements, and carried symbolic meaning.