宋朝是中國飲食文化發達的時代，此時商品經濟發達，不管在種植技術、料理方法、商品交易流通、飲膳器俱的重視，都促成飲食文化蓬勃發展的面貌。北宋大文豪蘇東坡，因宋代政治黨爭，多次遭逢貶放，仕途十分不如意。蘇軾的飲食書寫多為貶謫時所作。在社會經濟發展下，北宋末有不少權貴豪奢氣息瀰漫朝廷，但相對的文人士大夫則崇尚清淡簡樸的生活。蘇軾的飲食經驗因他涉足大江南北而呈現不同的書寫面貌。因為個人觀看和審美的差異，蘇軾的飲食書寫創造著重「意趣」與「知味」的知性感受。在他的一生中，飲食文學呈現安適自在的仕宦生活、政治社會的人文關懷、節欲養生的精神昇華以及貶謫客居的生命療癒等面向，展現他豁達自在的情態，創造人生況味的豐厚。

The Song Dynasty was an era of developed food culture in China. At this time, the commodity economy was developed. Regardless of the emphasis on planting technology, cooking methods, commodity trading and circulation, and tableware, all contributed to the flourishing development of food culture. Su Dongpo, a great writer of the Northern Song Dynasty, was repeatedly dismissed due to political party struggles in the Song Dynasty, and his career was very unsatisfactory. Su Shi's dietary writing was mostly made when he was relegated. Due to differences in personal viewing and aesthetics, Su Shi's diet writing creates intellectual feelings that emphasize ＂interest＂ and ＂knowledge＂. In his life, the diet presents a comfortable and eternal life, political and social humanistic care, the spiritual sublimation of abstinence and health, and the life healing of relegated guest.