Bestselling author Sandor Katz—an “unlikely rock star of the American food scene” (New York Times)—gets personal about the deeper meanings of fermentation.The Art of Fermentation quickly became the bible for foodies around the world, a runaway bestseller, and a James Beard Book Award winner, bringing fermentation into the mainstream. Fermentation as Metaphor, stems from his personal obsession with all things fermented, meditating on his art and work, drawing connections between microbial communities and aspects of human culture: politics, religion, social and cultural movements, art, music, sexuality, identity, and even our individual thoughts and feelings. This truly one-of-a-kind book showcases fifty mesmerizing, original images of otherworldly beings from an unseen universe—images of fermented foods and beverages that he has photographed using both a stereoscope and electron microscope—exalting microbial life from the level of “germs” to that of high art. Fermentation as Metaphor broadens and redefines our relationship with food and fermentation, perfect for serious foodies, fans of fermentation, and non-fiction readers alike.