Cultural Connections in Cuisine

Study Notes

Culture is the lens through which we view the world, formulating our reality.
Culture is learned, not biologically inherited.
Enculturation is the transmission of culture from one generation to the next.
Culture is shared through a society, an organized group or groups of interdependent people who share common territory, language, and culture.

Subcultures are variations between subgroups in societies that share an overarching culture.
Ethnic groups are a type of subculture, based on shared ancestry and common origin, language, customs, and traditional beliefs.

Food is a window into a culture, reflecting memories and feelings around food and family, which become traditions.
Traditional cuisine is passed down from one generation to the next, embracing heritage through cultural food.
Immigrants bring the food of their countries with them, preserving their culture when they move to new places.
Food can help others identify a culture's approach to life.
Food is associated with hospitality and expression of friendship.

Food plays a role in religious culture, enforcing the cuisines of a culture.
Dietary laws vary across religions, such as Muslims fasting during Ramandan, Orthodox Jews following Kosher, and Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism being vegetarians.

The Silk Road was a network of Eurasian trade routes active from the second century BCE until the mid-15th century.
European exploration and settlement in the Americas introduced European ingredients and cooking styles to the US.
20th-century immigration from many foreign nations developed a rich diversity in food preparation throughout the country.

Food production is driven by different values in every country.
Values are a part of the makeup of a culture, affecting cuisine.
Comparing USA to European cultures, Europeans often value quality over quantity, sacrificing short-term gain for a long-term result.

USA:
- Does not shop/cook seasonally
- Expects all types of food and produce to be available year-round
- Will sacrifice flavor for quantity and affordability
- Large portion sizes in restaurants
- Food is shipped across the country, shopping for a one or two-week supply
European cultures:
- Value quality over quantity
- Shop locally, from regional producers
- Shop more frequently, going to the local market daily
- Food traditions have remained intact in fairly small areas

Become more informed about other cultures by trying their foods.
Remember that each dish has a special place in the culture to which it belongs and is special to those who prepare it.
Traditional dishes should be served in restaurants, reflecting the unique history, lifestyle, values, and beliefs of each country or community.