The Dorito Effect: The Surprising New Truth About Food and Flavor

Mark Schatzker

The Dorito Effect is a book that explores the relationship between food and flavor in today's world. Written by Canadian journalist and author Mark Schatzker, the book argues that modern food has become less flavorful as we have come to rely on artificial flavors and chemical additives to enhance taste.

Schatzker argues that the food industry has focused solely on creating food that looks good and is convenient to produce and store, at the expense of flavor. According to Schatzker, this has led to a phenomenon he calls the "Dorito Effect." Essentially, people have become so accustomed to artificial flavorings that they have lost their ability to appreciate real food.

The book is divided into two parts. The first part explores the history of flavor and how it evolved over time, from ancient times to the present. Schatzker discusses how humans have manipulated the flavor of their food for centuries, often using natural ingredients like herbs and spices.

The second part of The Dorito Effect delves into the modern food industry and how artificial flavors and chemicals have come to dominate our diets. Schatzker argues that these additives are not only unhealthy, but also contribute to a general lack of satisfaction with our food. He suggests that the only way to truly appreciate food again is to return to more natural, unprocessed foods.