Each month, our Masters of Social Gastronomy talks explore the history, science, and stories behind a curious food topic. Up this month: aphrodisiacs and poison!

Every culture has a long history of aphrodisiacs - love-inducing and libido-promoting foods, ranging from the commonplace to the esoteric. Is chocolate the rightful king of Valentine's Day, or could we do better with a tiger's unmentionables? Let's trace the history of these foxy...

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Happy holidays! Take a break from your holiday party-packed schedule and check out some of these great events!

Saturday, December 6: If rare and vintage books and hand-made journals aren't enough to pull you in, the Brooklyn Holiday Book Fair will also include a signing by Maira Kalman!

Tuesday, December 9: Chill out with SASS! Literally. This month's lecture is on polar explorers.

Friday, December 19: Feeling nostalgic for the...

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Looking for a fresh gift idea? Tired of giving sweaters and socks? Why not give an experience? These tour companies offer some great possibilities. 

Turnstile Tours - Turnstile offers a wide range of tours including the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn Army Terminal, Brooklyn’s Avenue of Puerto Rico and the Moore Street Public Market, a Historic Church Tour, and Manhattan’s Food Carts and Food Trucks.

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Driftaway Coffee 

Driftaway is a coffee subscription service that sends you delicious (and super fresh) beans to brew at home, all based on your personal tastes. Anu and Suyog even roast the beans themselves! It's just about the perfect gift. 

Viva La Pizza!: The Art of the Pizza Box by Scott Wiener 

Scott's taught a couple pizza history classes for us, and his book on the amazing world of pizza take out boxes is the...

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Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Here's what's coming up this week:

Writing Your Obsessions - Sunday, November 23

Shakespeare's Secret Language - Monday, November 24

Punk: A History - Monday, November 24

Wontons & Dumplings - Wednesday, November 26

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