Blog #21: Food Customs from Around the World
With our last blog post, we talked about how food can connect us. This week, let us dive deeper into some food customs from cultures around the world. This blog post will only cover a few of them, but I encourage you to do your own research into other food cultures!
Food is a significant part of a cultural heritage. Traditional recipes, cooking techniques, and dining etiquette can reflect the values and beliefs of different communities. Here are some examples:
In Italy, you do not mix seafood and cheese. This one is more of a preference, but the common reason is that the seafood has a delicate flavor, one that can be greatly overpowered by cheese. The general consensus is that the natural, fresh flavors will be the star of the dish, rather can covering them up. My father’s side of the family is Italian, and I have visited Italy before. I can attest to this food custom firsthand. My mother’s side of the family is more Irish and English, but we also have a bunch of Cajun cousins. Whenever we have a seafood dinner, cheese is no where is sight.
In Thailand, you do not put a fork in your mouth. In Thailand, the spoon is the tool of choice, since their dishes mostly consist of rice or sauce. The fork is more used as a helping utensil. Basically, you use the fork to get the food onto the spoon. Knives are also not common, since most of the food served in Thailand is small or bite sized. I have never visited Thailand, but it is on my bucket list!
In the Middle East, you eat with your right hand. This is more of a religious practice, as well as a cleaner practice. You can also see this practice in parts of Africa and Asia. It is common knowledge, as well as mentioned in some religious texts, that your left hand is used for personal hygiene, like cleaning up yourself after you have used the toilet. So, the left hand is seen as “unclean” to use at the table. Eating with your right hand is more acceptable, due to it being the “cleaner” hand. Eating with the right hand can also mean that you are being respectful and polite while in the culture. I have visited Egypt and Israel before, and while I was on a guided tour where they did serve us with all of the utensils at our disposal, it was better to eat with your right hand to show respect.
In China, you leave some food on your plate. According to reports, leaving a small bit of food on your plate signals to the host or kitchen that you are full. If you clean your plate, they will more than likely serve you more food. It also shows that you enjoyed the meal, and that leaving some food behind actually shows how grateful you are for the delicious meal. I have tried to visit China, but then the pandemic happened. I still have high hopes to visit China in the future.
In Japan, you do not stick the chopsticks upright in rice, except at funerals. You may also see this practice in other Asian cultures. If you stick your chopsticks upright in your rice, it will be considered rude. People will also see it as bad luck. According to reports, you can only stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice when you leave it behind for the deceased, hence why it is deemed appropriate at funerals. So if you stick your chopsticks upright in rice out in public, people will see it as you wishing for death, or disrespecting the dead. My family and I are in the works of planning a trip to Japan! I have never been to Japan before, but when I do finally get there, I want to experience as much as I can, especially the matcha!
Kimchi is passed down through generations in South Korea. This is more of a fun fact, but it also holds strong cultural significance. Kimchi is seen as a symbol for family, tradition, a way to preserve food, and cultural identity. Every kimchi recipe is different, and each unique recipe is handed down through the generations. This practice ensures that the culture will continue, but it also mean the family’s flavors will be preserved. I absolutely love kimchi, and enjoy finding new recipes of this great food. I was in my dietetic internship, and one of my classmates was Korean. We became good friends, and she shared her kimchi recipe with me. It had more of a vinegar taste, but it was still delicious. I also have tried kimchi that was more spicy, or more savory. Kimchi is also a great source of probiotics (bacteria which is excellent for gut health). I plan on talking about prebiotics and probiotics in a later post, so stay tuned!
In closing, experiencing different food customs is a great way to see how diverse the world is. You get a glimpse into the culture through food preparation. You get to taste the history and pride of that specific culture. You also get to see many different ways to show kindness and respect around the world. We can connect the world through food. I encourage everyone reading this blog to go explore the world, and to do so through flavors. It truly is a great way to expand your comfort zone by experiencing something new, and you may have a better appreciation about a culture different than your own.
Practical Ways Towards Peachy Living:
Start by exploring your own family tree, and see what different recipes, flavors, or customs you can learn from your own family.
Travel with an empty stomach and an open mind. Always be respectful and try to understand why the culture follows the practice.
You can even try to make new dishes and experiment with new flavors at home. Pinterest has a wealth of recipes to try!
New dishes and new flavors can also open the door to more nutritious eating!
