Taste of the
WORLD
Aseel Elayan
2
Taste of the
WORLD
Aseel Elayan
Taste of the
WORLD
May 2020 Fairfax, Virginia, USA
Aseel Elayan
Dedication
To my Mom and Dad
TASTE OF THE WORLD Copyright © Text and design 2020 by Aseel Elayan For information, contact Aseel Elayan 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Contents Acknowledgment Chapter 1
Why Do We Eat What We Eat?
Chapter 2
Food Timeline
Chapter 3
Most Popular Foods in the World
Chapter 4
Food Traditions That You Need To Know
Chapter 5
Food as Body Care
Chapter 6
World Hunger Pie Charts
Chapter 7
How Do Religious Beliefs Affect Food Habits?
Chapter 8
Guess Which Dessert?
Bibliography
9 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26
Acknowledgment Taking an advantage to use this space to acknowledge people who have helped me with this huge, senior book project. My number one is, of course, my parents who love food. My mother has taught me how to enjoy food with her delicious cooking. Thanks to my father, a chef, who always has my back, being my dear baba. Many thanks to my four awesome siblings who are there for me. I applaud my bookworm sister, Areeg, for proofreading my book text. Being grateful to Andaleeb who is very patient with all of my constant questions for her opinions on my design. She would be a great graphic designer (please don’t be an accountant forever). Thanks to my closest friend, Nidah, for giving me her optimistic. I want to thank Professor Quigley who has taught me the world of design from three classes. He made me a better graphic designer. I’m also thankful for my colleagues who gave me great feedback. I couldn’t have completed this book without them!
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WHY DO WE EAT WHAT WE EAT? One word—biology. Humans need energy and nutrients in our body in order to survive. There is a wide range of food choices for us to select from in response to hunger and satiety. When you are walking through the food market for groceries, you see the Oreos and suddenly crave it. What makes you decide if you want to buy it or not? Or even why you are craving it? Understanding our food decisions will help us to reflect and analyze our personal health. This process will lead us to keep our health stable each day and reduce our risk for obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other diseases. There are some main factors that affect our food choices:
10
Personality Type
Yes, we do prefer types of foods based on our taste buds. Some individuals like onions because they perceive them to taste good while others detest onions because to them it tastes bad. However, these preferences can always change later in life.
Cultural Influences
Growing up as Palestinian, I enjoy eating the food of my culture because their tastes have familiarity and nostalgia connected to my childhood. On the other hand, when I try to eat spicy foods, I cannot tolerate them because I am not used to eating them.
Emotional Reasons
We have schemas in our brains which we interpret and organize into categories. For example, your grandmother loved to bake apple pie all the time when you were a young kid. In the present day, you are sitting in a cafÊ and starting to smell an apple pie, and suddenly you remember that same aroma in grandma’s house and your mouth begins to water. You immediately want to buy it because of your schema. All food schemas can be either positive or negative.
Health Concerns
Having food allergies, diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, overweight, and at risk for the development of conditions can affect your food decision.
Societal Pressure
In presence of the company of people, we increasingly consume our meal at dining table. Surround yourselves with healthconscious friends and families to eat nutritious meals often.
Cost & Convenience
Expenses strongly impact our food choices; however, we can reduce our dependence on takeout, restaurants, and convenience food. To save cost, shop groceries to do easy quick recipes in less than 30 minutes. 11
Food timeline What is food history? According to the author of Everyone Eats, E.N. Anderson explains that we “know the names of a few latter-day chefs, but food history—unlike the history of war and violence—is generally history without names” (Anderson 2). When civilizations started, their food became so rooted into their traditional cultures that carry until today. We can see that people are able to hold their cherished recipes from way back, which is amazing. Have you wondered which food is the oldest in the world? The six oldest foods that have ever been invented are Roman wine, bread, bone soup, butter, 4,000 years old noodle, and beef jerky. They have been around for a long time. We must thank whoever invented that or we wouldn’t have classic dishes! The best part of the food timeline is when people discovered the most delicious food—by accident. There is a collection of stories of how particular food was discovered that could be epic and weird at the same time. For example, an 8,000 B.C. herdsman was taking a long journey in an African desert, and he became so thirsty that he reached the sheepskin bag of milk that was attached to the back of his pack animal. When he started to drink the milk, the warm joggling liquid got into his mouth which he got astonished by its heavenly taste. That is how butter was discovered!
In this painting, Egyptian women juicing citrus fruits. Fruit juices were widely popular in ancient Egypt. Ancient Egypt, 5th Century BC.
12
THE “OOPS” SCOOPS POTATO CHIPS POPSICLE SANDWICH
NACHOS TOFU
BEER SPICY CHICKEN COOKIES
Pull
15 Delicious Things That were Invented by Mistake by Emily Arata
13
Most Popular foods in the world Pizza from Italy. CrĂŞpes from France. Tacos from Mexico. These famous international cuisines are what most people know of. What about Kimchi, Moussaka, and Pavlova? These dishes are also popular in other countries that you need to try!
14
15
Most Popular foods in the world Pizza from Italy. Crêpes from France. Tacos from Mexico. These famous international cuisines are what most people know of. What about Kimchi, Moussaka, and Pavlova? These dishes are also popular in other countries that you need to try!
Piero
Poland
Pets De Soeurs Canada
Pets De Sœurs (Sisters’ fart) are popular FrenchCanadian pastries that is similar to cinnamon rolls with an unappealing name. These sweet treats are especially popular during the festive Christmas season.
Tortas Mexico
Moussaka Greece
Tortas is a delicious Mexican sandwich stuffed with the most popular Mexican ingredients such as beans, avocado, queso, and other typical meat. Tortas are usually sold at food stalls and small restaurants, popularly called torterias, widespread across Mexican cities.
Falafel Palestine
12
Moussaka is a baked casserole consisting of ground lamb meat and layers of sliced eggplant, covered with a thick layer of bechamel sauce that gets golden and crusty as it bakes. It is not an everyday dish–it is baked as a special treat for guests and family on festive days.
Falafel is a blended mix of chickpea and fried in vegetable oil. Falafels are most commonly enjoyed in pita flatbread sandwiches, topped with fresh or pickled vegetables, and coated either in hummus paste, tahini dip, or a zesty, garlic-flavored yogurt sauce.
ogi
d
Pierogi is savory stuffed dumplings filled with cheese, onions, ground meat, mushrooms, potatoes, and sauerkraut. Today, pierogies are extremely popular that can be found in numerous pierogarnia eateries on Polish street corners. Poland also celebrates National Pierogi Day every year on October 8th.
Wonton China
Wonton are a variety of thin-skinned dumplings with meat, seafood or vegetable filling enclosed in tender wheat dough wrappers. These dishes soon became so popular they were sold anywhere from river boat food vendors to the streets, enjoyed both by royalty and the common folk.
Kimchi
South Korea
Pavlova
New Zealand
Kimchi is a classic starter or a side dish meal, these spicy and sour known as kimchi start their way sliced, tied in bundles, and marinated in brine with hot chili peppers, salty fish paste, sugar, garlic, etc. The dish is so beloved that the locals even shout “kimchi!” when their picture is taken, in the same manner that Americans shout “cheese!”.
Pavlova is the summer dessert from combining egg whites, cornstarch, vinegar, and sugar. Traditional toppings include whipped cream or lemon curd, and the dessert is often prepared during Christmastime.
13
food traditions that you need to know You have packed suitcases and a passport in your hands. You are preparing a plan of places to visit and things to see in a new country. Ready to go? Wait, not yet. It is very important to understand food traditions in other countries before you decide to stop by their restaurants. You don’t want to be embarrassed or offend someone. Your experience will depend on the help and understanding of some natives welcoming to foreigners. However, some of them aren’t. Before visiting other countries, we must learn their cultural practices and what to do and not to do.
CHINA
Never ever rest your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice or wave it at another person.
JAPAN
Making slurping sounds when eating noodles is very welcome in Japan. Japanese people believe it makes the food taste better.
THAILAND
Putting a fork into your mouth is considered rude. A fork must only be used to guide food onto a spoon.
16
ETHIOPIA
Throw out your fork and spoon and use your right hand when eating Ethiopian food. You can use flat bread to scoop up the traditional cuisine with your hands. They’re good!
DENMARK
If you turn 25 years old and are still unmarried in Denmark, you get covered with cinnamon powder and water by your friends and family. If you turn 30 and still unmarried, you will get covered by pepper and water. It is the Danish’s fun tradition, although the singles may not agree! If you ever want to visit there, first make sure you get married before you’re 30.
SAUDI ARABIA (MIDDLE EAST) Eat with the right hand instead of your left hand. Middle east people use the Arabic term sahtein, another word for bon appetit. It literally means “two healths”, wishing someone a double portion of health.
CENTRAL AMERICA
It is not ideal to start eating your meal before the host says “Buen provecho”, enjoy your meal in Spanish as a salutation.
CHICAGO (USA)
If you put ketchup on a famous Chicago hot dog, you will be exiled! Always put mustard on a Chicago dog. Tradition is tradition.
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Food as body care Flip open the most healthy fruits, vegetables, and spices to reveal each physical benefit.
A
C O V
ADOS
Native to Mexico south to Andean regions.
Contain incredibly high nutrients, 20 different vitamins Significantly improved the cholesterol profile, eye health, and reduced arthritis pain
IVES L O
Moisturize the skin
Native to the Mediterranean region Consuming olive oil daily are at a lower risk of heart disease Improve blood circulation, brain health, and bones Applying oil on hair and face is very beneficial
NGER I G
Native to Southeastern Asia
CH
A
M
OMILLE
Native to western Europe, India, and western Asia.
May cure illness including diabetes and cancer Drinking chamomile tea can help nausea, depression, sleeping, and relaxation
18
Contain high gingerol, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory Can relieve period pain, risk of diabetes, upset stomach, cancer risk, and the common cold May reduce muscle pain if consume 2 grams per day
B
ANAS N A Native to southeast Asia High in potassium to improve digestive and heart health Fight against oxidative stress and anxiety
Boost mood, memory, skin, and athletic performance
FIGS Native to the Mediterranean region High in fiber to keep you feeling full longer Used to treat skin conditions such as warts, vitiligo, and eczema
A
ICOTS R P Native to China
Contain many hydrating essential vitamins and minerals Improve eye health, boost skin, gut health, and protect the liver Munching on apricots may offer protection from sunburn
P
AT O E S T O
Native to modern-day southern Peru and northwestern Bolivia between 8000 and 5000 BC
BL
A
SEEDS K C Native to the Mediterranean region The study found that it almost cures all the diseases
Help headache, parasites, birth labor, blood pressure, immune system, cancer, etc
High in iron, calcium, phosphorous, zinc, and magnesium (good for bone) Increase immunity and heart health Improve skin texture from smoke, pollution, and sun
19
Food as body care Flip open the most healthy fruits, vegetables, and spices to reveal each physical benefit.
A
C O V
ADOS
Native to Mexico south to Andean regions.
Contain incredibly high nutrients, 20 different vitamins Significantly improved the cholesterol profile, eye health, and reduced arthritis pain
IVES L O
Moisturize the skin
Native to the Mediterranean region Consuming olive oil daily are at a lower risk of heart disease Improve blood circulation, brain health, and bones Applying oil on hair and face is very beneficial
NGER I G
Native to Southeastern Asia
CH
A
M
OMILLE
Native to western Europe, India, and western Asia.
May cure illness including diabetes and cancer Drinking chamomile tea can help nausea, depression, sleeping, and relaxation
18
Contain high gingerol, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory Can relieve period pain, risk of diabetes, upset stomach, cancer risk, and the common cold May reduce muscle pain if consume 2 grams per day
B
ANAS N A Native to southeast Asia High in potassium to improve digestive and heart health Fight against oxidative stress and anxiety
Boost mood, memory, skin, and athletic performance
FIGS Native to the Mediterranean region High in fiber to keep you feeling full longer Used to treat skin conditions such as warts, vitiligo, and eczema
A
ICOTS R P Native to China
Contain many hydrating essential vitamins and minerals Improve eye health, boost skin, gut health, and protect the liver Munching on apricots may offer protection from sunburn
P
AT O E S T O
Native to modern-day southern Peru and northwestern Bolivia between 8000 and 5000 BC
BL
A
SEEDS K C Native to the Mediterranean region The study found that it almost cures all the diseases
Help headache, parasites, birth labor, blood pressure, immune system, cancer, etc
High in iron, calcium, phosphorous, zinc, and magnesium (good for bone) Increase immunity and heart health Improve skin texture from smoke, pollution, and sun
19
World HUNGER PIE CHARTs “Hunger and malnutrition are the number one health risk worldwide”—United Nations, 2019. Not all countries or people have food availability in the world because of the growing population. Therefore, this book must include the main global issue: the world food crisis. According to The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, 2019, the number of hungry people in the world is growing, reaching 821 million in 2017 or one in every nine people. On the other side of hunger, the rate of obesity also greatly increases that there is one in eight adults in the world.
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18
www.actionagainsthunger.ca
“
The war against
hunger is truly mankind’s war of
liberation
”
– John F. Kennedy
80 billion pounds of food is thrown away in each year in the US. This is the equivalent of 1,000 Empire State Buildings. Reduce a food waste.
19
World HUNGER PIE CHARTs “Hunger and malnutrition are the number one health risk worldwide”—United Nations, 2019. Not all countries or people have food availability in the world because of the growing population. Therefore, this book must include the main global issue: the world food crisis. According to The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, 2019, the number of hungry people in the world is growing, reaching 821 million in 2017 or one in every nine people. On the other side of hunger, the rate of obesity also greatly increases that there is one in eight adults in the world.
Nearly
11%
of the world’s population is suffering from chronic undernourishment
20
www.actionagainsthunger.ca
“
The war against
hunger is truly mankind’s war of
liberation
”
– John F. Kennedy
80 billion pounds of food is thrown away in each year in the US. This is the equivalent of 1,000 Empire State Buildings. Reduce a food waste.
21
How do Religious Beliefs affect food habits?
Ju
da
is
m
Unfold to see four of the major world religions’ food dietary laws.
sm
hi
dd
Bu
22
m
ty ni tia
Is la s ri Ch
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How do Religious Beliefs affect food habits?
The Jewish food dietary laws explain the rules Unfold to see four of the major world for choosing kosher animal products, including the prohibition of what is considered “unclean” religions’ food dietary laws. animals such as pigs, rabbits, shellfish, reptiles, and the mixing of meat and dairy. Permitted food is mammals with split hooves, fish with fins, eggs, and milk from kosher animals. According to Jewish law, permitted animals must go through the slaughter process called schechita, in which all blood must be drained out from the meat before it is eaten. Some Jews fast on the holiest day of the year in Judaism, Yom Kippur, known as the Day of Atonement. They (except children under nine years old) fast for 25 hours, abstaining from food and beverage.
One of Buddhism’s five ethical teachings prohibits taking away life from any person or animal, so many Buddhists decide not to slaughter and consume animals as interpretation. They usually follow a lacto-vegetarian diet because all three religions Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism have a key concept which is called ahimsa, which means “no doing harm” to respect all living things. Like Islam, Buddhism is prohibiting drinking alcohol since it clouds the mind and can lead them to break other religious rules. Some Buddhists abstain from garlic, onion, chives, leeks, and shallots as these strong-smelling vegetables are thought to increase sexual desire and anger when eaten cooked. Some are expected to fast from noon until the dawn of the following day as a way to self-control.
22
Christianity does not have any specific food dietary guidelines because many modern Christians believe that Jesus states all food is clean in Mark 7:17–19. According to the New Testament, the apostle Peter’s vision of the sheet lowered from heaven and containing all types of animals that the divine voice pronounced clean and fit for food provided the church with a mandate to abandon the food regulations.
Some several Christian denominations practice fasting, for instance, the 40-day “Great Lent” fasting begins on Ash Wednesday until 9 days before Easter day. Some abstain only meat while millions of Christians and Catholics give up targeted sources of pleasure or entertainment.
Muslims do not drink or eat intoxicated alcohol, wine, swine, blood, and dead flesh because they believe that each one has a disadvantage effect on the body. However, if a Muslim finds himself or herself desperately starving, eating swine is permitted at this time.
Like Judaism, some Muslims only eat halal meat. Halal meat is when sacrificing animals with split hooves while saying Bismillah, and using a specific slaughter way to end animals suffer quicker. During the Islamic month Ramadan, Muslims (older people, children before puberty, menstruating, pregnant, breastfeeding, and people with the illness are excused) abstain food and drink from sunrise to sunset to purify spiritually and faith.
23
Guess which dessert? Here’s a favorite chapter for sweet tooth! Can you guess which dessert based on its description and country origin? Open to reveal the tasty sweets and watch out those calories.
?
BAKLAVA
?
ÉCLAIR
?
ICE CREAM 24
Sweet #1 Ottoman Empire 100 Calories Sweet Flaky Pistachio
Multilayered
Sweet #2 France
74 Calories Creamy
Chocolate Icing Pastry
Sweet #3 China
137 Calories
Flavored Cream Rich
Freezing
Sweet #4 Ancient Greece 401 Calories
Cream Cheese
Slightly Sweet Crusty
Sweet #5 England
67 Calories
Warm & Juicy Baked
Spiced
Sweet #6 India
125 Calories Syrup
Round Fried
?
CHEESECAKE
?
APPLE PIE
?
GULAB JAMUN 25
Guess which dessert? Here’s a favorite chapter for sweet tooth! Can you guess which dessert based on its description and country origin? Open to reveal the tasty sweets and watch out those calories.
Sweet #1
BAKLAVA
Ottoman Empire 100 Calories Sweet Flaky Pistachio
Multilayered
Sweet #2 France
ÉCLAIR
74 Calories Creamy
Chocolate Icing Pastry
Sweet #3 China
ICE CREAM
137 Calories
Flavored Cream Rich
Freezing 24
Sweet #4 Ancient Greece 401 Calories
Cream Cheese
CHEESECAKE
Slightly Sweet Crusty
Sweet #5 England
67 Calories
Warm & Juicy Baked
APPLE PIE
Spiced
Sweet #6 India
125 Calories Syrup
Round
GULAB JAMUN
Fried
25
bibliography Anderson, E. N. Everyone Eats: Understanding Food and Culture. 2nd ed., NYU Press, 2014. https://www.eufic.org/en/food-today/article/why-dowe-eat-what-we-eat-biology-of-food-choice https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/02/24/515422661/ spread-the-word-butter-has-an-epic-backstory https://www.tasteatlas.com/100-most-popular-foods-in-the-world https://en.brilio.net/news/the-6-oldest-foods-in-the-world-found-byarcheologists-the-6-oldest-foods-in-the-world-found-by-arch.html https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/global-hunger-continues-rise-new-un-report-says https://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/food/index.html https://www.concernusa.org/story/worlds-ten-hungriest-countries/ https://www.o-wm.com/content/the-nutritional-melting-potunderstanding-influence-food-culture-and-religion-nutrition-inte https://www.independentnurse.co.uk/clinical-article/religion-and-dietary-choices/145719/ Accessed. 9 April, 2020. https://www.foodnetwork.ca/fun-with-food/photos/13-unusual-food-traditions-fromaround-the-world/#!816d4b907d8723c1dab1d3ae4120fa20 Accessed. 9 April, 2020. https://www.thespruceeats.com/jewish-dietary-laws-2121753 Accessed. 9 April, 2020. https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/why-we-eat-the-foods-we-do#1 Accessed. 10 April, 2020. https://www.theglobalist.com/hunger-malnutrition-poverty-inequality-food/ https://www.active.com/nutrition/articles/16-foods-to-cure-common-illnesses Accessed. April 18, 2020. https://www.ancienthistorylists.com/egypt-history/top-10-popular-ancient-egyptian-food/ Accessed. April 20, 2020. https://www.rts.com/resources/guides/food-waste-america/ Accessed. April 27, 2020. https://www.echonet.org/world-hunger-statistics-poverty-facts Accessed. April 27, 2020 https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-proven-benefits-of-avocado#1 Accessed. April 29, 2020. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/buddhist-diet#dietary-practices Accessed. April 29, 2020. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maker%27s_Diet Accessed. April 29, 2020. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lent https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320031#who-should-avoid-chamomile-tea https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-benefits-of-ginger#TOC_TITLE_HDR_4 https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/apricots-benefits#section4 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/280579#10_possible_health_benefits
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About the Author Aseel Elayan, a Palestinian-American, studied a Bachelor Arts degree in Graphic Design with a minor of Illustration at George Mason University 2016–2020. This is her first “published” book as Aseel kicks off her career and aims to design for people.
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Made in the USA Fairfax, VA May 2020
A MILLION DIFFERENT FLAVORS To taste the worldwide’s cultures, practices, traditions, and many more. The world is filled with flavorful information and history of foods. Are you interested in knowing other cultural food traditions? Which food was discovered by mistake in humor? How food dietary laws of world religions differ? Then, this book is for you! Grab a fork and dig in.