How Does Culture Effect Our Food Choices?

Unit 1 Lesson2

Define the following vocabulary words

• Culture• Ethnic• Cuisine• Custom• Staple food• Fasting• Fusion cuisine

Influences on Cuisines and Customs

• Geography– Includes climate, soil, elevation, temperature,

amount of sunlight

Geography and Staple Grains

• Almost all cultures have a staple grain depending on what grows well in different geographic areas.

• What is staple grain in our area?

Geography and Animal foods

• Geography influences how people hunt or raise animals.

• Activity: In your group you are going to draw a map that contains water (sea and river), woods, grazing land, and mountains. Draw pictures or write names of animals that might be raised or caught in these areas.

Geography and Food Preparation

• It all comes down to fuel. If there was fuel for the fire the cooking methods were longer.

Economics

• How much money do you have to spend on food.– Wealthy had more access to meat, poultry, fruits

and vegetables. They could also afford to refine grain into flour.

– Poor had fewer food choices. Cooks were resourceful using what most people would throw away like feet, head, organs, etc… Wild berries and dried fruit satisfied the sweet tooth.

How Does Economics Effect Us Today?

• Discuss in your group how economics effects what you eat?

Foreign Contacts

• Cultures are exposed to new foods through immigration, travel, trade, exploration, war.

– Examples: Jewish immigrants brought bagels and cream cheese to the US around 1900.

– Italians brought pizza.– The Columbia Exchange

Columbian Exchange

Religious Beliefs

• Many religions teach about the use of food and these teaching affect a culture’s food practices.– Examples: Jew and Muslims don’t eat pork– Many Buddhists are vegetarian– Seventh Day Adventists often choose

vegetarianism to express the value of simplicity and respect for the body.

– Fasting during certain periods of time.

Technology

• In every age there have been advances in technology that have changed the way people eat and cook.

• Activity Examine the picture and answer the question:Why have technological advances led to new cooking techniques and recipes?

Assessment

• Research Activity• Pick a country and write the your name and

country on the board. (No duplicates)• You will be given a grading rubric for your

research project.