How Does Culture Effect Our
Food Choices?
Unit 1 Lesson2
Define the following vocabulary words
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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.