Culture and Food
Language, dress, values, symbols, norms — these are all part of a culture. Another artifact sometimes specific to culture is food. I had you read the article What People Eat Around the World as examples of the differences in our diets.
Find a particular food, ingredient, or recipe from anywhere in the world that intrigues you (you can use a food you have eaten). You can shock us with the bizarre nature of it, or you can share something delicious that you didn’t know about before. For example, I have quite a few friends who live in China. They have admitted to me that they have eaten horse, which sounds appalling to many Americans! We’ll use this topic to start a conversation about culture.
Describe how and when it is eaten – is it a staple food? A ceremonial food? A delicacy or luxury food? Does it have a religious significance? Is it commonly eaten in other parts of the world?
Share a link to the food you’ve found also, so we can check it out some more if we are intrigued!
Then, share your reflection about how the cultural environment we grow up in conditions us to avoid certain foods and enjoy others. Perhaps you are even aware of foods that are commonly eaten in Michigan that are avoided in other parts of the world.
What might your culture teach you about the food item you’ve located as compared to the culture in which it is eaten?
You can also share how food reflects your culture and subculture. Do you have particular foods used that reflect your family’s history and background?
Hint: Make sure you are using food as a discussion of CULTURE, our main topic of the week. Incorporate terminology and ideas from the assigned chapter reading.
