FOOD FOR THE TROPICS 



CHAPTER I 



INTRODUCTION 



TriE tropics extend from latitude 23^ north to 23^ south. 

 In this zone the rainy season occurs during the summer ; 

 and the products mentioned in this book are suited to grow 

 under such conditions. 



Perhaps a few words in regard to the chemistry of food 

 will be found useful. To be healthy, the human body re- 

 quires certain nourishment as follows : — 



Water, Starch, 



Proteids, Sugar, 



Fat, Salts ; 



but proteids, starch, and fat are generally considered the 

 most important. In European food, meat is eaten for its 

 proteids ; potatoes, bread, etc., for the starch ; and butter 

 for the fat : in tropical food, fish, peas, beans, etc., for 

 proteids ; millet, manioc, yam, etc., for starch ; groundnut 

 oil, til oil, etc., for fat (butter). 



The next point is that, having gained an intelligent 

 knowledge of the chemistry of each article of food, the com- 

 hinations can be arranged according to the European style. 



B 



