It's More than a Bite

Across the board, food has many dimensions that help cultures function.

Its main role is linked to how we express our identity and passions with one another, and how we can connect with others through it. For example, some foods might be taboo for one culture while another culture might see them as totally acceptable. Examples of these are halal foods for Muslims and vegetarian foods for Hindus. 

To think that our ancestors use to eat things that we classify as inedible really shows how far we've come as a civilization. Without food, we would have never learned how to talk to each other.

As a our species grew, cultures were born. With these varying cultures, various foods are deemed good, bad, without referring to the actual dietary benefits of it.

Besides the perspectives on certain foods, food has been a form of connection. At gatherings of any kind, you can guarantee that there will always be food. It helps set the mood and breaks the ice between everyone. Honestly, I went to school functions mainly for the food...However, while being there I made connections and had conversations that I would have never had.

 

— Joshua P. 

How What We Eat Shapes Who We Are.

Food and culture are totally linked, shaping everything from what we cook to how we eat it. Think about how rice is often shared family style in many Asian cultures, while Western meals usually mean individual plates. Even how we eat, whether it's with chopsticks, hands, or forks, is cultural. Cooking methods, like fermenting kimchi in Korea or slow roasting meats in Latin America, show how traditions develop based on local stuff and history. Religion also plays a big part, with things like kosher or halal rules, or Hindu vegetarianism, guiding diets and reinforcing identity.

What we even consider "food" has changed over time, starting with basic trial and error. Now science tells us about nutrition, but culture still decides what's yummy or gross. For example, insects are normal snacks in some places but avoided in others, and many East Asians traditionally didn't do dairy like Europeans.

Beyond just eating, food really brings people together. It makes conversation easier, whether at the family dinner table or even for politicians trying to relax and connect. Consider holidays like Lunar New Year or Thanksgiving; food is central to the celebration. Plus, needing to cooperate to get food, like hunting way back when, probably pushed us to get better at communicating. And don't forget, good food fuels our brains, which need a lot of energy to work right.

 

— Kody N.

The Power of Siblings, Tables, and Boba!

Food is more than just fuel. It plays a key role in shaping both culture and society. All over the world, the foods we eat and how we eat them connect us to our history and identity. Traditional dishes and preparation techniques can carry the stories of generations!

A great example of this is the Three Sisters agricultural technique developed by Native Americans. They realized that growing corn, beans, and squash together helps the plants to support one another and produces healthier crops. This powerful trio led to the creation of traditional dishes which incorporate all three crops, like Three Sisters Stew! 

Dining habits are also a reflection of cultural values. In the United States, meals are often taken around rectangular tables with a generally set seating, while many Eastern cultures prefer more relaxed arrangements. These differences provide insight into how different societies view hierarchy and community.

Food also acts as a cultural bridge. In the US, foods like boba tea (originally from Taiwan) have become popular. Nowadays, there seems to be a boba shop filled with students or shoppers on every street!

Overall, food connects us to our roots, and to each other. Exploring the cultural aspects of foods gives us a much deeper understanding of our world, and the ever-changing foods available to eat.

 

— Veda M.