Culinary history is the study of the evolution of food and cooking practices throughout history. Researchers in this field explore how food has been cultivated, prepared, and consumed in different societies and time periods, as well as how food has shaped cultural identities and influenced social and economic structures. Culinary historians often examine historical cookbooks, recipes, agricultural practices, trade routes, and dining customs to gain insights into the culinary past. This interdisciplinary field draws on disciplines such as history, anthropology, sociology, and food science to understand the complex relationship between food and society.