In early 20th-century Mexico, Tita De La Garza is forbidden to marry her true love, Pedro.

Her intense emotions become magically infused into the food she cooks, affecting everyone who eats it with overwhelming passion, sorrow, or joy. Esquivel uses magical realism to explore themes of family, tradition, and the power of female expression.

Structured around a year of monthly recipes, the novel blends the sensual pleasures of food with fantastical events, creating a richly layered and unforgettable love story. It celebrates Mexican culture.