Set in early 20th century Mexico, the novel explores the conflict between strict traditions, especially for women, and the desire for personal freedom. Tita's fate to care for her mother represents the expectations placed on women of this era, while her struggle for love and self-realization reflects the desire for change and emancipation.

Food, particularly Mexican cuisine, plays a central role in the novel. Tita's cooking is not just a means of nutrition but a channel for her suppressed emotions - love, grief, anger, and passion. The dishes she prepares magically influence those around her and reflect the intensity of her feelings.

The novel explores various facets of love in its complex forms. From Tita's forbidden love for Pedro to Rosaura's jealousy and the mother's conditional love, it unfolds a multilayered picture of human relationships, questioning how duty and social conventions influence love and whether true happiness is possible despite adversity.