The eight food cultures we have selected are based on the etiquette of a particular cuisine. This highlights the importance of heritage and tradition that you can experience during your tailor-made trip.
The art of dining in a foreign land goes beyond using the right utensils and knowing how to eat with your hands. It involves the culinary traditions, the cooking styles, the values and decorum that are associated with the dining room and kitchen.
The world’s culinary cultures awaken our senses. From the textures of the food to the visual aesthetics or the tastes, dining experiences are a feast for the eyes and palate. Discover where to go on your next vacation to explore the culinary cultures of the world.
1. Italy
Italian cuisine is known for its connection with life’s joys. Some rules are known, like never ordering a coffee after noon, or not ordering any extra cheese, as this can offend the chef.
Italians are known for their slow pace of service, and they treat their food with respect. In order to emphasize the flavors of each ingredient, only minimal ingredients are used in each dish. This keeps things simple but delicious, with a complex flavor.
It is customary in Italy to put the person who has the highest status in the group in the center of the table. Your hands and wrists should always be visible when your cutlery has been placed on the table. When bread is brought to the table, we all enjoy it. However, you shouldn’t be surprised if olive oil is used instead of butter. You can use your fork for more than just pasta. It is also a great way to fold your lettuce before taking a bite.
2. Japan
Japan is known as a country that places a high value on etiquette and its connection with it. It believes that good manners are reflected in respect. Japanese dining etiquette is based on different situations and occasions. A Japanese diner sits on a reed-mat in a kneeling posture during formal dining, while cross-legged seating is the norm for casual dining.
In Japan, no matter the season or the ingredients, each dish is created with great pride and attention to detail. Japanese food can appear simple but when you add small amounts of side sauces, flavors, and spices like ginger or wasabi, it gives the dish a unique flavor.
The joy of Japanese food begins with a simple gesture of gratitude. Itadakimasu, which means “I gratefully accept”, is a way to show respect for those who prepared and served food. This creates an environment that is comfortable and long-lasting, which allows the host, the servers, the chefs, and the guests to enjoy the meal. Slurp up that soup. Contrary to Western belief, this is a true sign of gratitude.
3. Morocco
Moroccan cuisine is a combination of spices, meats and vegetables that creates delicious dishes. Moroccan cuisine is a reflection of the rich history of the country, featuring lamb and chicken. Culinary masters hail from Fez, Meknes Marrakech and Rabat. Moroccan cuisine is most well-known for its tagine stew, which is a slow-cooked dish named after the conical clay pot in which it’s traditionally cooked. It is served with couscous and bread.
Moroccan cuisine is influenced by other cultures, and ingredients like olives and dates are still widely used. Moroccan cuisine has been influenced by other cultures over the years. Spanish and Arabian ingredients and flavors have been incorporated into Moroccan dishes, and Jewish traditions such as pickling, preservation, and pickling are still used today. Enjoy each bite to relive centuries of traditions.
The main meal, which is served at noon, does not occur during Ramadan. In that month, the food spread seems to never end. The guests are always encouraged to wash their hands prior to eating, mainly because food is eaten with your right hand and from a communal platter. It is polite for you to nibble on your food even if you are full. This is because once you stop eating, all of the other guests will do the same. To round off the dining experience, enjoy a cup of sweet tea with mint.
4. France
French culture is centered around eating, which has led to a variety of rules that are meant to respect the guests, hosts and chefs. Some of these customs date back to Louis XIV but are now common dining practices. French citizens spend more than 45 minutes each day at lunch, reflecting the importance of enjoying your food and discovering the delicate flavors in each dish.
The French culinary arts are a great way to unite people. The portion sizes are smaller to make it easier for diners to finish them and enjoy each bite.
In France, a slow meal is a symbol of the pleasures of life. Elegantess is the key to beauty, whether in a home or a restaurant. According to French culinary tradition, a nicely-arranged table can slow down the pace of a meal, allowing family members, guests or restaurant patrons to better enjoy it.
5. Spain
The Mediterranean diet takes center stage in Spain. The traditional cooking methods and ingredients used in Spain are a great way to establish a culinary experience. The food culture of Spain is not just about taste. It’s also about experience. From the light breakfast consisting of coffee and frothy, paired with toast or sweet rolls, to the small plates called tapas or Pintxos depending on the area, the food culture is all about both.
Tapas offer a variety of food to try, but they are also a great way to meet up with friends and enjoy the meal and their company. Dinner is usually eaten later in the night, as a light meal between nine and twelve.
It is not hard to see why Spain’s restaurants have more than 250 Michelin starred restaurants and are frequently among the 50 best restaurants in the world. Chefs place a strong emphasis on freshness of the season, cheeses and Iberian Peninsula species. In Spain, food is a part of everyday life, and culinary culture is not only important to make connections but also an integral part of local culture.
6. Argentina
The presence of beef on the Argentinian table is a result of colonial history. The conquistadors who brought cattle into the New World during the Spanish colonial period in the 16th Century became a major source of food and wealth for the locals. This led to a flood of legends about gauchos, and pampas.
Argentines, and even visitors, are encouraged to wait until the host says ” Buen provecho before they eat and drink wine. Arriving a quarter of an hour late to a dinner is perfectly acceptable. It is also customary to rest your hands on the dining table and leave a small amount of food on your plate during the meal. Pouring your own wine, however, should be avoided due to the many rituals and rules that are involved.
The sharing of a gourd containing yerba mat tea is a ritual of friendship. It’s a way to honor the indigenous culinary heritage of Argentina that has survived European influence for over five centuries. It is rare to see this ritual in restaurants. However, it represents important Argentine values – friendship and sharing – as well as a subtle way of encouraging national comfort.
7. Australia
There are many different cultures in the country, and certain restaurants specialize in a particular cuisine. For example, sushi or pizza. There are some dishes and traditions which are popular. Australians are passionate about food and enjoy socializing while eating.
When dining out, it is important to remember that the person at the head of the dinner table has the honor. The others are seated either side. If you’re dining in a formal setting, you should pass the dishes to the left. When you finish eating, place your knife and your fork parallel with your plate on the right. Keep your hands on your lap when you’re not eating and avoid talking business.
The quintessential Australian dish is the Aussie meat pie. Another favorite is grilled or fried Barramundi, whose name in Aboriginal language means “large-scaled fish”. Snags are sausages made from beef or pork, served with sauces and spices on top of mashed potato. Enjoy their famous pavlova to top off a night in Australia. The debate continues as to whether or not this was invented in Australia or New Zealand, but the flavors and satisfaction will last longer.
8. Thailand
Thailand’s culinary culture is all about balance, from respecting each ingredient’s flavor to showing appreciation to the chef at a restaurant or private kitchen. The seasonings are a mix of sweet, spicy, salty and sour. They also show influences from trade with India and China. The result is a unique cuisine.
In Thai culture, food is more than just a way to eat. It’s also a celebration of luck and community. Dining alone can be considered bad luck. Senior women will order food for everyone at the table when dining with the locals. They may choose several types of meat or fish, as well as vegetables and perhaps a dish that someone has mentioned wanting to try. When there are so many dishes at the table, people with dietary restrictions can easily politely decline to taste something they don’t like or choose not to eat it.
The rice is served differently in different regions of Thailand. In central and southern Thailand, white rice is served at all meals, while sticky rice is preferred in northern Thailand. Chopsticks can only be used for rice-based dishes. Spoons are most commonly offered as utensils. If sticky rice is offered, you won’t usually need to use utensils. Diners should compress the sticky rice using their right-hand fingers, and then use that hand to scoop up the food or sauces. Thai cuisine is a celebration of condiments. You are expected to season your food with extra seasonings. However, you should never use your left hand. Instead, you should wait until the person who has the highest ranking at the table gives the okay to eat.
