While the chicken was taking the “Old World” by storm, a plant found in the Americas would soon become one of the most valued goods during the period of the Columbian Exchange, and today has become one of the world’s favorite treats. The cacao bean, from which chocolate comes, became one of the most valued goods to the Aztecs and Mesoamericans. It was used as medicine, a refreshing drink, currency, and even as part of a trade system. The Latin name for cacao is Theobroma, which means “food of the gods.” The cacao bean played a major role in ancient South American cultures.…
From the early days of human cultivation of maize to the modern rise of genetically modified corn, Jeffrey M. Pilcher covers many topics in his book Planet Taco. The book is primarily on the multinational adaptation and globalization of Mexican food, especially tacos. Americans have molded the traditional Mexican cuisine to one where it would be more appealing to American taste buds. Mexicans, in turn, seek to keep its culinary uniqueness as a landmark for national identity. This is an account of the indigenous taco versus the Americanized taco (authenticity vs Taco Bell).…
However, after a few members of the Mascho-Piro tribe left the comforts of the rain forest to obtain supplies, such as cooking pots, machetes, and foods from nearby towns, with the occasional violent encounter; the Peruvian government decided action needed to be taken. The predicament caused by the Mascho-Piro people desire to venture out of isolation draws attention to the issues of globalization, its value, and attempts to maintain indigenous cultures. Kwame Appiah article, "The Case for Contamination", discusses the impact of globalization, western cultures, and traditions. Traditions are long-standing ritualistic practices, while western cultures represent modern technological advances, the value of individualism, and creating one's own value…
John wake ups and decides to make himself a healthy and lean breakfast. John decides that a light potato and spinach quinoa breakfast bowl should be a great way to begin his day. Quinoa, a popular “super food,” that is now available in many US health food stores and supermarkets. To John, it’s a foodstuff recommended by many nutritionists and agricultural specialists, however, it is much more than that. Quinoa is a Peruvian cropped that forever changed the dietary history of the world.…
a) a) How does the Native American past diet compare to today's Native American diet? The Native American past diet was high in protein and low in fat. It’s important to note that Native Americans consumed the entire animal. Traditional Native American diet was free of refined sugar, white flour, vegetable oils, canned foods, milk and processed foods.…
Nikkei 103 is a contemporary restaurant that serves a fusion of Peruvian and Japanese cuisines. Its dining area is spacious and modern with plenty of large tables to accommodate groups. The restaurant uses fresh, local ingredients to create its dishes. The daily menu at Nikkei 103 is constantly changing to offer new and innovative creations. Examples of appetizers that diners can discover on the daily tasting menu at Nikkei 103 include causa anticuchera con pescado en tempura and ceviche de mejillones en aji amarillo y maracuyá.…
This week’s readings address the meaning of childhood, health care and medical practices in colonial Peru. However, behind these topics, both books share strong political and social bases: the relationship between the king and his American subjects in the case of Premo’s book and the intellectual debate on the medical practices in the colonial period in Warrens’ volume. The Bourbon Reforms and the Enlightenment also play an important role in explaining the changes in the relationships of children with authority, the link between the king and their colonies and the medical practices. In Children of Father King, Bianca Premo uses a wide range of archival sources founded on both sides of the Atlantic, including codified law and royal edicts, to shed some light on the children’s and their families’ lives and the attitudes of authorities and elites towards children between 1650 and 1850.…
The salsa is a famous music genre from Cuba, but with a touch of Caribbean and Latin American elements. In Panama, this genre has been very well accepted, so that it has become one of the most popular and also one of the most practiced music genres by the population. Also, Panama has taken several artists who have become known internationally. But you may ask, who are they , why they have been recognized as “salsa artists”, also where are suitable places to dance this kind of music?…
Ecuador Have you ever wanted to know more about another place you’ve never been? Like Ecuador. Ecuador has a lot of amazing and unique differences between us and them. They’ve got so many really really cool thing that you can learn about, their clothes,religion, music, how they do things, sports, games, dances, what language do they speak. I can go on and on and on, there are so many different things that anyone, including you, can learn about right here.…
Currently there are many issues related to the access of indigenous food sources throughout North America. The readings dealt with both indigenous food insecurity in both the southwest U.S. and in the northern U.S. and Canada. The Senora desert is a hot and arid region in the southwest U.S. and northern Mexico and is one of the largest deserts in North America. It has an average rainfall of only 10 inches and can reach as high as 120F in the summer months (Salmon, 68).…
When the Spanish Conquistadors conquered Peru in 1536, “[they] discovered the flavors of the potato, and [brought] them to Europe” (PotatoGoodness 2).…
The lecture on “Food, Identity and Authenticity in Latin America” brought forth information in great detail, that I personally was not that informed about. Gomez-Rejon was able to identify the foods that were native to Mexico; as well as, foods that we traditionally claim as Mexican, but in reality they were imported. The vast majority of foods that I have loved and associated with Mexican cuisine where all brought over from trade when the Spanish came to concur Latin America. The Spanish not only brought fruits, vegetables, and animals from around the world, but also their religion and hierarchy to bring order to the natives living there. Many of the conquistadores came and destroyed the gods and with it the culture that was present thought…
If there is one thing that consistently describes Mexican food, it is spicy. Aside from the “spiciness” seen throughout Mexican culture, such as the “reporters” seen on some Mexican news telecasts, Mexican food can be described as hot, or spicy, and chiles are a big reason for this. While chiles are indigenous to the Americas, nowhere else is its use more sophisticated than in Mexico. Most places use chiles simply for the heat factor it provides, but chiles in Mexican food is used also for the flavor and texture. This is why there are various types of chiles used for different dishes, with each of the different type of chile serving a different culinary purpose.…
Food plays a very important role in any society beyond sustaining life. It is a time for families to come together and often accompanies celebrations. Cooks are able to communicate with their audience through the favors they choose, the meals they prepare and the simple act of cooking for someone beyond ourselves. This common day event is truly explored in the two movies “Como Agua Para Chocolate” and “Eat, Drink, Man, Woman.” Tita, the main character and cook of the movie “Como Agua Para Chocolate” and Chef Chu, who fills the same role in the film “Eat, Drink, Man, Woman” have very different uses and relationships with the food they cook.…
COLOMBIA CULTURE Cultural Ancestry The cultural tradition of Colombia is diverse. There are distinct groups within the Colombian culture that bear unique accents, cultural adaptations, social patterns, and different customs. The distinct group within the Colombian culture is divided into based on their location; those within the coastal regions, those in the interior region, and those in the countryside. The individual groups come together and do their regional cultures during special events like elections, beauty pageants, and also sporting events.…