Food is a deeply rooted expression of identity, values and ways of life. That is, eating is an element of common ground in terms of human existence and an experience that brings people together. Food is family treasure in the way recipes are passed on from one generation to another, maintaining family connection and cultural and geographical ancestral links.
Food is an expression. What we cook is an expression of who we are and where we come from. The traditional meals of a place touch on identity and ancestry. Every destination has a dish or cuisine associated with it, which is fixed on culture and identity.
You may not know it, but that is why experiencing the local dishes of a new place usually tops one's to do list in a foreign land. It is one of the interactions and processes of connecting with the people.
Food is symbolic. Home is where the heart is and in sensory response to food, familiar flavor arouses homesickness. The ordinary smell of food takes one back to particular times in the past. The beautiful and merry essence of eating with family and friends from home adds to the pleasant tastes of meals.
Food and food habits serve as a culture channel of display of affection and emotional association and the sharing of delicious, nutritional food signals a bridge of closeness and acceptance.
A. Accepting food is hard.
B. Eating food is a universal experience.
C. Food is largely cultural as well as nutritional.
D. Food is therefore a reminder of fond memories of home.
E. Eating a local dish is a way to connect with the local people.
F. Food, however, sometimes gives us bad emotional experiences.
G. This is obvious in how seafood is popular with the coastal people.
