BEHIND THE
BAR CODE
The Secret Life of Everyday Foods
Where your favorite foods come from and how they are made
about the author
Paul was born in the North West of England and has built a business career spanning more than 45 years. An experienced corporate professional and serial entrepreneur, he has extensive expertise in corporate governance and administration. He is a major shareholder and investor in a Manchester-based spirits manufacturing and distribution company, an active angel investor supporting start-ups, particularly in the North West and, by his own admission, an occasional and cautious participant in the world of cryptocurrency, which he describes as “not for the faint-hearted.”
Blending clear explanations with engaging anecdotes, Hesketh encourages readers, especially teenagers and young adults, to rediscover the origins, science, and history of everyday foods, inviting everyone to look beyond packaging and appreciate the remarkable stories behind the items in our kitchens.
Food is the foundation of life—it exists, and when it does, it sustains us. There is no life without food, whatever its nature, so yes, eating is the most important thing after being. “Behind the Barcode” by Paul Hesketh explores the hidden stories behind the foods we eat every day. The book reveals how modern convenience has distanced us from understanding where our food comes from, how it is made, and the fascinating journeys it takes from farm to table.
about the book
The Secret Life of Everyday Food
Take a walk down any supermarket aisle and you’ll see shelves packed with familiar names: bread, ketchup, coffee, marmalade, crisps, cola. Ordinary products. Everyday purchases. Nothing remarkable, or so you think.
Behind every barcode lies a story of invention, accident, ambition, rivalry, empire, science, and sometimes outright scandal. From smuggled tea plants and accidental chocolate bars to fizzy drinks born from battlefield injuries and condiments shaped by colonial trade, the food in your kitchen cupboard has travelled further and been through far more than you ever imagined.
In Behind the Barcode, you’ll uncover:
• The surprising origins of the world’s most common foods
• The scientific processes that turn raw ingredients into global brands
• The power struggles, monopolies, and marketing genius behind supermarket staples
• How everyday items became billion-dollar industries
Behind the Barcode is a true bible for food lovers worldwide. A comprehensive guide that explains where food comes from, how it is transformed, and how to create something new. It’s always preferable to talk about food rather than gastronomy. And the reason is very simple: food is broader than gastronomy; it’s a concept that encompasses much more, and in which we can include both popular and elite cuisines; aristocratic and formal dishes, as well as simple peasant stews or primitive roasts.
Paul Hesketh’s Behind the Barcode is an extraordinary anthology of essential information about ingredients, culinary techniques, and the pleasures of eating, which will delight and fascinate anyone who has ever cooked, tasted, or enjoyed food. Organized with numerous explanatory charts, its pages cover everything from the different food groups to the best ways to prepare them, the evolution of gastronomy throughout history, and the physical and chemical reactions that food undergoes when cooked. Hesketh entertains in this book with a true encyclopedic pen, wise, thorough, brilliant.