by Caroline Fraissinet

Created on: January 18, 2010

The internet has become an indispensable tool for finding any type of written information, be it dictionary definitions, synopses or even entire works of literature.  In many ways, the internet has become the primary source for all intellectual and informational needs.  This leads us as a society to wonder: has the internet killed the printed word?

In my opinion, there is still very much a place for printed books in our society, which leads me to the theme of the article: I believe that the printed cookbook will survive for many years to come.  Here are a few points that I've cooked up on why the cookbook may live to see another Christmas Day.

One of the biggest overall differences between the recipes found over the internet and those found in cookbooks is organization.  The internet has any and every recipe that you could possibly want...if you know what you're looking for.  Many a time have I searched for a recipe only having the vague idea that I wanted to use a particular ingredient and have found it difficult to find the recipe that I want because the internet is a database of every possible piece of information that exists.  Quite simply, getting a recipe online can be downright overwhelming!

Cookbooks, on the other hand, are collections of recipes that often reflect a certain theme of cooking or specific type of food.  This serves a practical use in narrowing down what you want to cook - for example, if you need to make a dessert for a family get-together, many cookbooks specialize in a specific type of sweet.  The beauty of the cookbook is that it offers many creative spins on what are often simple culinary concepts.  For example, I recently bought a cookbook specializing in cupcakes.  It went beyond the standard vanilla and chocolate fare to more exotic varieties such as margarita and green tea cupcakes. 

This leads me to my next point: Cookbooks often contain much more creative recipes than those immediately found on the internet.  The internet's strength is quantity; you can find every recipe for a basic dish in a matter of seconds, which has its own value.  Yet it takes a little more hunting around to find something slightly more unique.  However, cookbooks are normally sold based on the fact that they have more eclectic or fusion-based dishes, so they are often better for quickly finding a different spin on a classic. 

Finally, creating whole meals is much easier when using cookbooks than they are when using web sources.  Cookbooks, being collections of foods, are more likely to have unusual dishes that would go together well than random recipes you might find on the internet.  In fact, many cookbooks are structured in full-meal formats, including an appetizer, entree, side dish and dessert.  Again, it isn't impossible to find the same thing on the internet...it just takes a little more searching.

The internet and printed cookbooks both have their value for the modern chef.  However, that is not to say that one source is better than the other.  I believe that the printed cookbook is not a thing of the past because it still has certain benefits to cooks that can make preparing meals both easy and fun.  In the end, recipes from cookbooks and the web can both produce delicious results...but that's not to say that one will eclipse the other.  So, it is my opinion that printed cookbooks will be able to join us for many more meals to come.

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