With the advancement of globalization, cultural exchanges between countries are becoming more and more frequent, and food culture as a part of it has also attracted widespread attention. Different countries and regions, due to the influence of various factors such as history, geography, climate, religion, etc., have formed their own unique eating habits and taboos. Today, let's uncover the dietary taboos around the world, see why Koreans don't eat coriander, why Russians refuse sea cucumbers, and what are the unique dietary taboos of Chinese.
1. Why don't Koreans eat coriander?
The Korean diet is known all over the world for its unique spicy flavor and abundant kimchi. However, there is one common condiment that is not very popular in Korea, and that is coriander. Koreans generally believe that the flavor of coriander is too strong to accept. In Korean cuisine, it is difficult to see the shadow of coriander, which has also become a major feature of Korean food culture.
2. Why did the Russians refuse sea cucumbers?
Russia, a huge country straddling the Eurasian continent, is rich in marine resources. However, on the Russian table, sea cucumbers, a precious seafood, are not very popular. This is mainly because Russians consider sea cucumbers to have a strange taste that does not fit their dietary aesthetics. It is difficult to find sea cucumbers on Russian menus, which also reflects the resistance of Russians towards sea cucumbers.
Third, the dietary taboos of Chinese.
China, as one of the countries with the longest food culture in the world, naturally also has a wealth of dietary taboos. These taboos stem from ancient religious beliefs, medical theories, and folklore. For example, in traditional Chinese culture, fish is seen as a symbol of good luck, so during the Spring Festival, fish is an essential delicacy on the table. However, in some places, especially in coastal areas, fishermen perform rituals to pray for the safety of the sea god before going out to fish, and also release the first fish they catch as a sign of awe and gratitude for the sea.
In addition, Chinese also have unique taboos in food pairing. For example, it is generally believed that persimmons and crabs should not be eaten together, because the tannic acid in persimmons will combine with the protein in crabs to form indigestible substances, which is not good for human health. There are many similar taboos, such as spinach and tofu should not be eaten together, green onions and honey should not be eaten together, etc.
In general, dietary taboos, as a unique cultural phenomenon, reflect the perceptions and attitudes of people of various countries towards food. In today's globalized world, we should respect and understand these differences, and at the same time learn to be open and inclusive in cross-cultural communication. By sharing and understanding the dietary taboos of different countries, we can better appreciate the food cultures around the world and promote cultural exchange and integration.
In the days to come, let's explore more mysteries about food culture and jointly promote the prosperity and development of global food culture. Whether it's a kimchi restaurant in Korea, a restaurant in Russia, or a traditional Chinese restaurant, we can feel the unique charm and infinite possibilities brought by food culture.