Food Traditions Across the Different Cultures

Italian food is very rich in culture and varies from pizza, to pasta, gnocchi, bruschetta and more. An article on Italian food called Appetito, said, “Italian food culture is dedicated to the importance of slowing down and savoring the moment. In Italy, a meal is the purpose of the day, of a life.” Italians take their food very seriously and this is because of the internal value they have in their culture to make the most out of every meal. A culture that is done in Italy is Sunday family dinners, it’s a tradition where they gather with their families on a weekly basis and share bread, pasta, wine, and just catch up together which I thought was very nice. Italians make sure to take a pause out of their day for a meal no matter how busy they get and take visitors last minute just when the shops are about to close because it’s important to them that everyone has a meal in the day. That is a non-negotiable for them and they take it very seriously which I found super nice.  Reference:...

Japanese cuisine, also known as Washoku is a unique and diverse culinary tradition that emphasizes on seasonality, simplicity, and fresh ingredients. Japanese cuisine takes condiments very seriously with each meal such as soy sauce, eel sauce, spicy mayo sauce, sake, wasabi, and ginger as well next to each meal. This cuisine has a variety of flavors and textures making it a popular food pallet for countries around the world. Popular foods such as sashimi, sushi, rice, and ramen are some of the top food choices for Japanese culture. As stated in the article by Japan Specialist, “in modern times, Japanese cuisine has embraced influences from Western cuisine, incorporating new ingredients and cooking techniques all while preserving its traditional essence.” As a sushi and ramen lover, I can say Japanese food has become my favorite food ever since I was younger.  Reference:  https://japanspecialist.com/w/the-ultimate-guide-to-japanese-food

  As a Middle Eastern myself, I was born in Palestine and growing up I have had the opportunity to try every single meal from almost every Middle Eastern country. Middle Eastern food consists of fresh ingredients, traditional homemade cooking techniques, and very bold spices. Every dish is usually seasoned in its own way depending on what you’re making. Each dish also requires a different cooking technique and follows a routine in order to perfect it. According to the Jacada Travel article on the Ultimate Guide to Middle Eastern Cuisine, it says, “many staples of Middle Eastern food is chickpeas, rice, sesame seeds, olive oil, lemon, wheat, and nuts.” The most common type of food involves lamb, a very popular Jordanian dish is Mansaf which is lamb fermented in dried yogurt sauce with flatbread on the bottom and rice. Other popular foods are falafel, hummus, shawarma, tabbouleh, and kibbeh. Middle Eastern culture is big on hospitality and people in these countries love to cook and s...