Welcome to *Digging Deep: The History and Science of Root Cellars*! As you may have guessed, this book is all about the fascinating world of root cellars. In this chapter, I will give you a brief overview of what you can expect to learn from this book, and provide some basic information about what a root cellar actually is.
This book is the result of my own personal fascination with root cellars. As a gardener and lover of all things related to food, I have always been intrigued by these underground storage spaces. But as I delved deeper into the subject, I realized that there was much more to root cellars than I had ever imagined.
In this book, you will not only learn about the history of root cellars and their role in traditional food preservation, but also the science behind them. We will explore different types of root cellars, how to build and maintain them, and even how to use them to store different types of fruits and vegetables.
A root cellar, simply put, is an underground storage room for food. It is a space dug into the ground with walls made of stone, brick, or sometimes even wood. Root cellars are typically accessed through a hatch or door at ground level and have a set of stairs leading down to the storage area.
The main purpose of a root cellar is to provide a cool, dark, and humid environment for storing fruits and vegetables. This helps to slow down their natural ripening process and prolong their shelf life. In the past, root cellars were essential for storing food over the winter months, when fresh produce was scarce and preserving techniques were limited.
Now that you have a basic understanding of root cellars, let's dig deeper (pun intended) into their history and science. Get ready to uncover the secrets of this underground world and learn how to create your own root cellar for storing your harvest or favorite produce all year round.
Digging Deep: The History and Science of Root Cellars