5 reasons to care about printed cookbooks

June 23, 2013·Lindsay

Cookbooks on shelf

We may be preaching to the converted, but it's a good idea now and then to remember why we love printed cookbooks (and why buying more isn't a bad thing). So at the risk of being an enabler to all our cookbook addict members, here, courtesy of Eatocracy, are five reasons suggested by Kaitlyn Goalen as presented in Why Cookbooks Matter (Goalen is the former National Edition editor of Tasting Table and is involved with Short Stack Editions). We've edited and annotated them a bit:

Accuracy - printed recipes are more likely to be tested and edited for accuracy than online recipes.
Gifting - cookbooks make the greatest gifts; a URL just doesn't match a printed cookbook with beautiful photos.
More than just recipes - cookbooks can be heirlooms passed down, provide insight into new cultures, or teach history.
Design - cookbooks are beautiful items and their display and availability can help make a home much cosier.
Voice - we would call this education, as a good cookbook writer can do more than present recipes, but also educate and inspire.

But we like to check in with our members every now and then - any more ideas on why we should keep our printed cookbooks?

Photo by Annie Mole

13 comments

JaneJune 23, 2013

Chris, I'm not sure you understood what I was saying. EYB does have reviews and notes for cookbook recipes so provides exactly the same service as websites and blogs in terms of feedback from people who have cooked the recipe. Click the Notes tab for any cookbook or recipe and you will see what I mean. The Essential New York Times Cookbook is the one with the most Notes - if you sort the Library by Buzz you will see which books have the most Notes. These are the online equivalent of your scribbles in the book margins (plus they are shared with all other users of the book).

sir_ken_gJune 23, 2013

Accuracy - I find little difference with the EYB indexed recipes because the on-line recipes are "owned" by the blogger.
Gifting - cookbooks make the greatest gifts - yes we have given quite a few to our daughter and her fiance. Mosly one in which she has favorite recipies from home.

Design - O dear I am afraid we have too many to always display beautifully.
Voice - Very much so. Books in which the author tells about themselves and their origins. Naomi Duguid's books (Burma) are great that way.

JaneJune 23, 2013

We will always add errata to a recipe if it is provided by the author, publisher or a member. We list it as EYB comments and it is available on the Notes tab. So for EYB members at least, mistakes in cookbooks can be corrected before a new printing. Also, Chris, EYB members have the ability to add and read our member reviews for cookbook recipes so your third point about the advantages of blog recipes doesn't apply.