Many of us associate food from our childhood with warm feelings and unforgettable memories, and it ties us to our families with a special and personal value for us. Maybe you remember how eagerly anticipating your special holiday visit to your grandmother’s house for her homemade dessert? Or how your parents made your annual family camping trip extra special with a chicken rotisserie over campfire?

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On a larger scale, food is an important part of the culture. Imagine an Italian grandmother who immigrated to the United States and is teaching her grandchildren, who have never been to Italy, how to make an authentic Italian meal. Continuing to make food from their culture for family meals is a symbol of pride for their ethnicity.

Cultures also differ in the types of habits they associate with food. For example, in some cultures, it is common to eat with your bare hands. In other places, this will probably attract some odd attention. Sometimes, finishing all the food on the table is considered polite, whereas in some cultures the host might think there’s not enough food.

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As the world becomes more globalized the cuisines from different cultures become more accessible. We should embrace our heritage through our culture’s food but we should also become more informed about other cultures by trying their foods. It’s important to remember that each dish has a special place in the culture to which it belongs and is special to those who prepare it.

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I love to visit the fresh market to see the local pick of the day or the exotic ingredients.

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How many type of tropical fruits have you tried?

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Follow us on our trek to the exotic places in search of the local delicacies, mingling with the locals, enjoying their culture and eating like the locals.

Bon appétite !