A Quick Ting On: Plantain

As seen in Grazia, the Guardian, and more...

Recognised as one of the most beloved fruits of the Black diaspora, Plantain holds profound value within the cultures and communities it is part of.

Compiled for the first time in one vibrant volume, A Quick Ting On: Plantain is an infectious cultural insight into the versatile fruit. Discover its contested historical origins, its multilingual etymology, the biochemistry that sets Plantain apart from regular bananas and, yes, the War of Pronunciation... Is it Plan-tain or Plan-tin?

Containing recipes from across the African continent, the Caribbean, Latin America and South Asia, author Rui Da Silva paints an astonishing international history of Plantain - celebrating food within Black households across the globe as an intimate marker of identity and culture.

From recent developments in farming practices to the effects of food gentrification on working-class Afro-Caribbean communities, Rui also explores the politics behind Plantain. Inflation, Fairtrade, and climate change all have a part to play in the ongoing journey of this coveted fruit.

Unifying stories of innovation, hardship and, above all, love, A Quick Ting On: Plantain is a delicious ode to the intersection of food, culture and humanity.

Born in Lisbon, raised in London. Representing Sao Tome E Principe at every opportunity. Rui Da Silva/Rei Sky is a creative practitioner, working mainly across music writing, performance, production and illustration. Influenced by Black diasporic and continental subcultures, like Grime, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Afro-Beat to Afro-Lusophone sounds from Kuduro and Kizomba to Funk Carioca and Afro-Bossa. With community and working-class struggle at heart, Rui/Rei also spends his time working with young people, operating in a range of contexts with aims of empowering social, mental, economic well-being. Plantain, selective company, UFC fight night, followed by a +8 psychological thriller on IMDB, followed by jokes about nothing, followed by more Plantain and a couple of Mighty Malts describes a near perfect evening.