Japanese Cuisine

          In this post I will be looking at food of the Japanese.The Japanese have a very unique culture. Much of their food is influenced by the other countries of Asia that surround them, while at the same time their cuisine is diverse and unusual.

wagashi -www.YouTube.com

          The most commonly eaten dishes and ingredients include rice, miso soup, sushi, fish, vegetables and noodles. Sushi is a food that is often eaten as a starter or side dish but can also be eaten as a meal. It consists of rice and other ingredients, such as vegetables and seafood. They are often wrapped together, sometimes in seaweed. Sushi is served with either wasabi or soy sauce. To many people, sushi is a symbol of Japanese food and culture as it is now so popular and is eaten worldwide.

www.youtube.com
Wagashi

          Rice has been a staple food in Japan for many years. It is simple to prepare and can be served with almost anything, therefore was very popular in the past. However, its popularity is decreasing. The Japanese used to eat rice with almost every meal, whereas now many only eat it once a day.

          Noodles are often used as a substitute for rice. There are many different types of noodles- they are made in different sizes, shapes and colours. Ramen is a popular type of noodle- it is usually thin and served in a broth.

          Japanese food has been hugely influenced by other countries, as I previously stated. They commonly use Chinese foods, including ramen and fried dumplings. However, Japanese cuisine has not just been affected by nearby Asian countries, it also uses Western foods such as hamburgers and curries.

          Japanese sweets are well-known but, unlike our sweets, they are not artificial whatsoever. Most sweets are made from natural ingredients and are known as wagashi. Red bean paste is an example of a common ingredient, and nowadays green tea ice-cream is very popular.

Italian Food

Italian Food

          Italy is a coastal country in Southern Europe. It is renowned for its culture and its traditional food. It has cold, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. Summer temperatures often go above 30 degrees celcius.

www.belindaskelton.com
Italian pizza

          Italy has a very productive farming system  in the north, with agriculture making up most of the economy- however, in the south, there is considerably less of an agricultural culture. This is an example of how a country could have very different foods in different areas. Most of the farms in Italy grow crops; examples are olive trees, vineyards and wheat fields. 

          Cheese, wine and coffee are hugely important in Italian cuisine. Pasta is a huge component of many Italian meals. There are a huge variety of types of pasta eaten in Italy as pasta can be made from different cereals and in different shapes, colours and sizes. Also, seafood is a huge part of Italian culture-especially in coastal areas.

          In the past, cooking was influenced by the Roman Empire. As the empire spread, Roman soldiers saw many strange foods in neighbouring countries and used them. One of the reasons the Renaissance started in Italy is because of where it's located geographically- it became a centre for trade as it is close to many countries and is beside the Mediterranean Sea. It was known as a link, or crossroads, between the east and the west. People from all over the world went there to trade and Italian cooking was influenced by this; many different styles, types and ingredients of cooking from culturally different countries were introduced to Italians.

          Italians have the highest life expectancy in the European Union. This is affected by the fact that, in general, Italians have a very nutritious diet- this is due to the amount of fresh, local food they eat. They also have a very strong economy so they can afford to eat more expensive, healthier food.

Mexican Food

Mexican Food

http://sweetpeaskitchen.com
Traditional corn taco

          Mexico is a country located in central America. Mexico is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean on the west and the Caribbean Sea on the east. It has quite a mild temperature, apart from the south where it is quite hot and humid. There is generally only a small amount of rain throughout the country, except for the tropical parts.
          Corn is a staple food in Mexico. This is because corn requires a hot climate and rich soil. This is an example of how climate can affect the food eaten in a country. There are a huge range of different types of corn. Agriculture is strong in Mexico and many people grow corn.

          The chili pepper is also a huge part of Mexican cuisine and culture. Many of the traditional Mexican dishes are very spicy. Chili peppers are not just used for their heat, but also for their wide variety of flavours, that range from subtle to strong.

http://whatscookingamerica.net

 The chili pepper

          Food is a huge part of everyday life in Mexican culture and day-to-day life. According to tradition, the time for girls to marry is when they have learnt how to cook properly. This is so that each girl will be able to cook and provide for her future family. Mexican food is also an important part of festivals. For example, for the Day of the Dead festival, food is placed on the altars as it is considered that the dead can taste the food. Many other festivals have huge meals to feed hundreds, and therefore the cuisine has a social aspect in that it draws the community together.

          History strongly affects the food that Mexicans eat today. Spanish conquistadors brought over foods such as meat and cheese- before this the Mexican diet consisted of very little meat (besides turkey), and had never used dairy products.

          Nowadays, cheese-making is a critical component of the country's economy. Because Mexico mainly grow and produce their own food, money is made and jobs are created, 

which has a positive effect on the country's standard of living.

          There is huge health inequality in Mexico. This is affected by the fact that rich people have more money to pay for more expensive yet healthier and hygienic food, while poor people end up eating cheaper food of worse quality.



Food Worldwide

Food is a very important aspect of our day-to-day lives- we wouldn’t be able to survive without it. Food varies all over the world. There are many factors affecting the types of food eaten in different countries, including climate, culture/tradition and agriculture.

Food can have huge impacts on the economy and people’s health (and consequently on a country’s healthcare system). The main source of income in many countries is generated by food production and food industries. This can have knock-on effects, both positive and negative, which also affect the country. For example, many jobs may be created but pollution can be caused.

In my posts, I will be looking at the traditional and well-known foods in different countries, the reasons that these foods are common in such countries and the effects that different types of food can have on countries as a whole.

Introduction

Introduction

My name is Clodagh and I will be writing a blog on food all over the world. I chose to write about this as I am interested in food and the culture behind it.