As if you needed a reason to try new foods. You know that
saying “You either live to eat or eat to live.” I’m going to let you guess
which category I fall into. One of
the great joys of traveling is the opportunity to try new things, and if you are not sampling
the local cuisine of the country that you are visiting, you are missing out on
a huge part of their culture. You’re also really disappointing any foodie out
there. Even if you are a picky eater you need to at least sample dishes that you’re
unfamiliar with. You cant go on eating chicken and French fries your whole
life. I mean you can, but you shouldn’t. If you needed any more convincing, I have a
small but might list of reasons why you need to culture your taste buds.
saying “You either live to eat or eat to live.” I’m going to let you guess
which category I fall into. One of
the great joys of traveling is the opportunity to try new things, and if you are not sampling
the local cuisine of the country that you are visiting, you are missing out on
a huge part of their culture. You’re also really disappointing any foodie out
there. Even if you are a picky eater you need to at least sample dishes that you’re
unfamiliar with. You cant go on eating chicken and French fries your whole
life. I mean you can, but you shouldn’t. If you needed any more convincing, I have a
small but might list of reasons why you need to culture your taste buds.
You Will Discover New Food
You Never Knew Existed
Every country in the world has at least a few
national dishes, and many of them you will have never heard of before. So CULTURE
YOURSELF and give ‘em a try. Once again, if you are particular about your food try
to go for a few dishes, which are a little more unusual. Chefs are
experimenting all the time – take these Fireball bagels for example. Once you get back home, you may well find
yourself searching for a local restaurant that prepared some of the delicious
food you have sampled or if your daring enough (I’m not) you might prepare it
yourself.
national dishes, and many of them you will have never heard of before. So CULTURE
YOURSELF and give ‘em a try. Once again, if you are particular about your food try
to go for a few dishes, which are a little more unusual. Chefs are
experimenting all the time – take these Fireball bagels for example. Once you get back home, you may well find
yourself searching for a local restaurant that prepared some of the delicious
food you have sampled or if your daring enough (I’m not) you might prepare it
yourself.
You Experience Food in a
Different Way
Perhaps you have only ever eaten Chinese food in
your home country before, but try it in China and you will gain an alternative perspective on the dishes that
you thought that you already knew. Yes, we all love our Americanized fried rice
but, in China, they flavor it with table salt over soy sauce. I’m not saying one
is better than the other, but it is a new way to experience such a standard
meal. Both the taste and texture can end up being so different that it is like
trying these meals for the first time all over again.
your home country before, but try it in China and you will gain an alternative perspective on the dishes that
you thought that you already knew. Yes, we all love our Americanized fried rice
but, in China, they flavor it with table salt over soy sauce. I’m not saying one
is better than the other, but it is a new way to experience such a standard
meal. Both the taste and texture can end up being so different that it is like
trying these meals for the first time all over again.
Food = Culture
You can tell a lot more about a country by the
food that they eat. For example, head to Germany and you will see that they are
all about hearty, simple meals that are designed to fill you up. There are not a lot of sides
paired with meals in Germany. Schnitzel is breaded veal, and when you order It, all you receive is schnitzel. I don’t even recall seeing a “sides” section on the menus. Spain is famous for their tapas – food that is designed to be enjoyed slowly and in the most social way possible. SOCIAL EATING. What a revolutionary concept. Travel to India, and you will experience an explosion of spice and flavor. Proceed with caution though; their spice levels are probably not the same as back home.
food that they eat. For example, head to Germany and you will see that they are
all about hearty, simple meals that are designed to fill you up. There are not a lot of sides
paired with meals in Germany. Schnitzel is breaded veal, and when you order It, all you receive is schnitzel. I don’t even recall seeing a “sides” section on the menus. Spain is famous for their tapas – food that is designed to be enjoyed slowly and in the most social way possible. SOCIAL EATING. What a revolutionary concept. Travel to India, and you will experience an explosion of spice and flavor. Proceed with caution though; their spice levels are probably not the same as back home.
Food Unites People
Speaking of social eating, if you have the opportunity to eat with some locals, you will experience first-hand the level of passion that they have for their national dishes. They also won’t stray you from some decent eateries. I just recently noticed how proud Americans are of their buffalo chicken wings. Who would’ve thought? Ask an American foodie, and I guarantee they will know a spot to get the best chicken wings. Food provides a bonding experience, and local people tend to appreciate foreigners who embrace their culture. I LOVE talking to travelers about ranch dressing. Something as simple as that united me and a whole group of Germans.
You Gain New Recipes to Try
at Home
at Home
Once you get back home again, you might be slightly nostalgic and miss that frittata you sampled at the market or kick yourself over the fact you already ate the last chocolate from Sweden! I would be inspired to replicate some of the dishes that I enjoyed while traveling. Of course, it may not taste the same as it did when you were out there, but it is always nice to add some new skills to your cooking repertoire.
