Food

Food is a great way to get to know people, why? Because the food a group of people eat is often a reflection of their traditions, lifestyle, beliefs, and festivals. Food is definitely given topmost priority in every culture because really, everyone eats. Therefore, food is a universal way to connect with a group of people in an intimate way.

Recipes are indigenous to people living in a particular geographical region because they are influenced by shared experiences. Experiences that influence the recipes common to a particular area include similar agricultural products and animals, trade, historical developments, folklore, and festivals. What better way to tap into the wealth of history, culture, and adventure of a place than by eating their local cuisine?

Common Thought takes a holistic approach by considering the whole person: body, mind, spirit and emotions.

The Ultimate Goal is to encourage you locate your healthiest self with a straightforward, reasonable, and manageable way of life.

TOUR A CULINARY ADVENTURE AROUND THE WORLD

Asian countries, for example are known for having a rich culture which also encompasses food. A good instance of this is their many festivals and the plethora of meals prepared specially for them. Take the mid-autumn festival for instance (which is a very special celebration of the harvest in Asia); the must-eat food during the festival is the mooncake. Historically, mooncakes have been eaten at every mid-autumn ceremony for hundreds of years (since the Yuan dynasty of 1279). Legend has it that the empire was ruled by Mongols at that time (who were strict and tyrannical); therefore, messages to rebel against the dynasty began to be passed around in moon cakes. Interesting right? That is just one out of many examples of the cultural significance and historical experience we derive simply by tasting food belonging to another culture. Other delicacies eaten by people during the mid-autumn festival include duck, pumpkins, river snails, hairy crab, etc. (each not without their own significance, I guess).

Whether you are a tourist, backpacker, or expatriate, food is a very potent means to penetrate another individual’s culture. It allows us to escape the physical and experience other people’s way of life on a deeper, more intimate, and sensory level. Traveling and sampling cuisine also satisfies a deeper innate need for pleasure, as it is one of the most pleasurable activities you will partake in while on a journey to a new destination.

Tourism is a cultural act, and food is an integral part of the culture; therefore, how is it possible to complete a cultural act without sampling the cultural cuisine? Sampling the local cuisine of wherever you’re visiting is an essential step in understanding the key elements of their culture and society. It is also recognized that indigenous cuisine offers visitors learning experiences that showcase local food production.

INSPIRATION

Food is also an incredible way to trace historical interaction between people. Take the dish known as Goulash, for example; Goulash exists in Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic (albeit in slightly different variations of the same dish) thanks to the Habsburg dynasty. There is hardly any easier way to trace a common ancestor or group interaction between two groups of people than by sampling their cuisine and finding the similarities.  

Whether it is a rice cake from a street vendor in Singapore or an elaborate beef bourguignon from a Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris, do not miss out on the culture that comes deeply rooted in experiencing your very own culinary adventure.