Il mondo del cibo

Drawing inspiration from the experience of Expo 2015, this introductory essay describes the renewed attention paid by science and the wider public to the world of food. It is an area where Italy plays a major role on the international scene, in the context of the products it offers and the development of a robust cultural tradition on the subject of food. All this took place against the background of a relatively rapid transformation that within the space of a century saw a country dominated by chronic food shortages begin to enjoy the same conditions as wealthier countries. This piece concludes by presenting some of the major themes discussed in the journal essays, starting with the journeys made by food, emphasising the usefulness of a multidisciplinary approach when dealing with food, nutrition and gastronomy.