The characteristics of the United States in the 80s of the last century can be said to be both powerful and ambitious, pursuing "fast" and "new" in all aspects, and the same is true in diet.
If you want to understand the United States in the 1980s, then you can start with the food, and then start the 10-year journey of American food
The fast-food chains that are now blooming all over the world have actually flourished in the United States in the 80s of the last century.
At that time, people all over the country were eating beef burgers, french fries, and frosted milkshakes.
During this period, people pay more attention to convenience than nutrition. Because more and more American families were "dual-income" at the time, there was not much time to prepare their own food.
In addition, these fast-food chains are also advertising all over the place. For example, McDonald's and Burger King are using their mascots to attract children, and various advertising announcements can be heard on TV.
Fast food has become more than just fast food, it has gradually developed into an integral part of American culture.
Fast food during this period also received a lot of influences from abroad. In the '80s, Americans' interest in international flavors, such as Chinese takeaway and tortillas, skyrocketed, allowing them to pursue other possibilities beyond hamburgers and fries.
The globalization of this taste is not only happening in fast food restaurants, but also in traditional restaurants.
It can be seen that the demand for exotic cuisine (not necessarily authentic) also reflects the "melting pot" nature of American culture during this period.
While it was mentioned above that a lot of people were addicted to fast food, there was also a healthy food movement in the 80s.
During this period, many Americans began to seek nutritious and healthy foods, such as whole grains, organic products, and whole foods.
This also reflects the fact that many Americans at the time were still aware of the adverse health effects of processed foods and fast food.
That's when fitness stars like Jane Fonda appeared, encouraging Americans to get fit and also promoting healthy diets, especially low-fat and low-cholesterol foods.
Health food stores are beginning to pop up all over the United States,** products made from whole grains, such as brown rice and whole-wheat noodles. During this period, veganism is also on the rise.
This craze for healthy eating encourages Americans to use fresh ingredients to cook their own food.
As a result, cooking shows are also popular, and celebrity chefs like Julia Child can be seen on TV teaching viewers how to prepare delicious and nutritious food at home.
Organic farming has also gained traction during this period, with some consumers seeking pesticide-free products when purchasing produce.
While fast-food chains are still popular in the U.S., the healthy food movement has had a profound impact on the U.S. since then, and you'll still find many farmers' markets, organic supermarkets, and plant-based restaurants in the U.S.
In the 80s of the 20th century, Americans believed that reducing fat intake would make the body healthier and also allow for weight loss.
Food manufacturers have taken advantage of this trend with a variety of fat-free and low-fat products. So, in the American supermarket in the 80s, you might see a range of products that are sold with a lower saturated fat content.
These products are actually a disguised lure to indulge and eat and drink without guilt. But although they are low in fat, they may have more added sugar or artificial ingredients in them.
As a result, there's a good chance you're eating a lot of nutritious, high-calorie foods, which is also known as "snacking overkill."
In the 80s, microwave meals came along and changed the way Americans cook and eat. As work gets busier, so less time goes into cooking.
The microwave oven was the "savior" of American families during this period, and they could save more time to do other things. Microwave ovens allow more American families to quickly prepare meals and feast on them.
The rise of microwave meals also represented the marketing hotspot of "convenience" at that time. Those prepackaged foods are certainly not as nutritious as homemade foods, but they meet the needs of efficient-minded Americans.
In the 80s of the last century, many brands launched microwave meal products. These products allow Americans to enjoy a hot meal without having to be busy in the kitchen.
The soda war here refers to a fierce competition between Coca-Cola and Pepsi.
In order to outdo each other, the two soda giants used various marketing strategies and also carried out a lot of product innovation, which affected the diet of Americans at the time.
Important events of this period include:
In 1982, Coca-Cola launched Diet Coke;
PepsiCo launched the "Pepsi Challenge" campaign, which aims to prove that people prefer Pepsi when they are blind audition
In 1985, Coca-Cola launched the "New Coke", which ended in failure. It is said that Coca-Cola changed the recipe and was boycotted by customers
Both companies have tried to woo celebrities, such as Pepsi sponsoring Michael Jackson and Coca-Cola sponsoring Bill Cosby
Other colas were born, such as Cherry Cola (Coca-Cola), Mountain Dew (Pepsi), and Dr. Pepper (Coca-Cola).
And these events are not just a war between two beverage brands, but also represent the cultural change in the United States in the past 10 years.
For example, Diet Coke is "low-calorie" as a slogan, which also reflects the growing number of Americans' health concerns. And celebrity endorsements help boost sales, indicating Americans' craze for pop idol culture.
While Coca-Cola and Pepsi are vying for market share, they contributed to the growth of soda consumption in the '80s because of their growing sugar-sweetened beverages as an important part of the American diet.
Brunch is a meal in between breakfast and lunch, and it's a drawstring for Americans who want to break the boundaries of traditional eating times.
There are many reasons for the emergence of brunches, such as the increasing preference for casual dining, the increasing number of housewives entering the workforce, and the relaxation of weekends.
The brunch boom also brought with it a variety of culinary innovations, as well as changes in American tastes.
Classic brunch favorites include eggs benedict and Belgian waffles, with their own spins, such as Canadian bacon instead of smoked salmon or candied fruit on waffles.
If you have brunch at the restaurant, the overall atmosphere is relaxed and pleasant. This also reflects the brunch vibe, which is "trendy", "free" and "indulgent".
In the 80s of the last century, sushi restaurants became more and more popular in the United States as a fresh and exotic delicacy.
The popularity of sushi was related to the interest of Americans in Japanese culture at the time, during which the Japanese economy grew rapidly, and the wave of globalization swept the United States, and it is worth mentioning that the Hollywood movie "Blade Runner" also contributed to this.
As more Americans become interested in sushi, sushi restaurants have popped up in major cities like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. The sushi chefs who make sushi have also received a lot of attention, and some have even become celebrities.
Since coming to the United States, Japanese sushi has also made certain changes. In order to cater to American tastes, the California roll appeared, and it was an "instant hit".
California rolls first appeared in Los Angeles in the 60s of the 20th century, and with the influence of the sushi craze, California rolls became a "star" in the 80s. California rolls swap traditional toppings like sashimi for cooked crab meat, which is also more acceptable to Americans who want to try sushi.
The California roll also uses avocado to add a creamy texture that is close to tuna meat on the palate. California rolls have also contributed to the development of the local avocado industry.
Blending Japanese tradition and American creativity, the California roll also captures the American quest for freedom and exploration, and remains the "protagonist" of American sushi to this day.
This fusion dish is a perfect blend of Japanese tradition and American culinary creativity while capturing the American Cultural Center's timeless desire for freedom and exploration.
In the 80s of the last century, there was one food that could not be avoided on the table of Americans, and that was pasta.
During this period, pasta was not just a staple food but was also considered an affordable luxury.
The reasons why pasta became popular in the 80s are as follows:
Shifts in dietary guidelines
Experts recommend carbohydrates as an important part of a healthy diet. This has led to a surge in demand for pasta products.
Celebrity chef publicity
At the time, many celebrity chefs were promoting Italian recipes through cookbooks and TV shows, and pasta was the most popular.
Marketing for large food companies
In order to promote their own noodle products, many large food companies can be described as "eight immortals across the sea, each showing their magical powers". The bombardment of advertisements naturally led to the fire of pasta.
The development of a chain of restaurants
Italian restaurant chains are capitalizing on this trend with a plethora of classic Italian cuisines at great deals.
The cultural influence of the masses
In the films "The Godfather" and "Goodfellas", Italian culture spread further, which also prompted Americans to ** Italian cuisine.
In any case, pasta satisfied the American quest for exotic cuisine at the time, and even today, pasta still has a high status in the American dining industry, and it is a home-cooked food that can be found everywhere.
In the 80s of the 20th century, Mexican and American cuisine became a huge hit in the United States. These spicy foods make Americans feel free.
American-Mexican cuisine originated in the border region between Texas and the State of Mexico, giving rise to foods like spicy meat sauce and nachos.
This gastronomy is driven by several factors:
First, the increase in Mexican immigrants brought with them traditional Mexican recipes;
Second, Americans are increasingly interested in bold exotic flavors;
Third, some restaurant chains are fueling the fire.
American-Mexican cuisine has an important impact on the entire American diet, especially some spices, allowing Americans to explore more possibilities.
In the 80s of the 20th century, many restaurants and supermarkets had salad bars, where people could see people mixing brightly colored vegetables and toppings to make salads.
For freedom-loving Americans, it's great to be able to choose your own mix of ingredients and seasonings.
The emergence of salad bars can be traced back to the influence of European culture. Salads have always been popular on the menus of European countries, especially in Mediterranean countries, where salads are considered an indispensable part of everyday meals.
In addition, Americans' quest for a healthy lifestyle is also driving them to seek out fresher and more nutritious foods.
For a variety of reasons, salad bars have become a fad.
In the 80s of the 20th century, business lunches became an important part of American business culture.
If you are a young professional at this time, you will often attend this kind of extravagant dinner - its greatest significance is that you can socialize with people at work.
It has the following characteristics:
Exclusive venues
High-end restaurants such as City's '21' Club in New York and Chasen's in Los Angeles have business lunches. Here, the elite began to "sword and sword" at the table.
Extravagant dishes
Lobster soup, filet mignon, and other extravagant dishes are standard dishes for business lunches, and are sure to showcase wealth and sophistication.
Plenty of cocktails
For business lunches, there must be no limit to alcohol, and martinis are especially popular.
Haute couture
Dress code is also a must-consider part of attending a business lunch. Men wore fashionable suits and decorated with bold ties, while women opted for custom dresses or suits with expensive jewelry.
Influential attendees
Senior executives from different industries attend a business lunch, which is a great time to network and negotiate deals.
Business lunches allow Americans to break away from the traditional office environment and make a breakthrough in their careers at the same time.
In the 80s of the last century, coffee specialty shops rose. This kind of coffee shop sells artisanally, moving from quantity to quality, which is a kind of "rebellion" against fast food culture.
The café has become a popular choice for artists, writers, and entrepreneurs who innovate and thrive.
Cafes and business luncheons of this period were created out of the needs of their respective cultures, reflecting the different ideas of American society about eating and dining at the time.
Some people like to drink artisanal coffee, while others like to drink iced fruit wine drinks.
Its craze is driven by three key factors:
Marketing Campaigns
Producers of chilled cider drinks have released a lot of humorous and personal advertisements that will keep young consumers looking for a sense of freshness and fashion.
The alcohol content is lower
Chilled cider drinks have an alcohol content of around 6%-7%, which is more "light" than whiskey or vodka. It is a great option for those who want to drink but don't want to get drunk.
Rich in flavor
Chilled fruit wine drinks come in a variety of flavors, such as peach, raspberry, and citrus, which is just too appealing to those who don't like traditional wines.
Overall, the craze for chilled fruit wine drinks was driven by the culture of the time, where everyone was looking for freedom and freshness.
Frozen yoghurt is just as popular as chilled cider drinks, and it's a healthier alternative to traditional ice cream.
Americans at the time were looking for low-fat foods, and frozen yogurt was born.
Frozen yogurt shops have sprung up with a variety of flavors and toppings. Especially in the summer, you would be sorry not to have a frozen yogurt.
The biggest attraction of frozen yogurt is that it has a lot of options, which is very suitable for Americans who want to make a difference.
The above are the American food trends in the 80s of the 20th century
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