Connecting Through Flavors: How Food Bridges People Around The World 

Written by: Ahlam Binte Ahmed

Food is a universal language. It is not only a means of sustenance, but food also has the magical ability to connect people. It brings together family, tradition and community. It transcends boundaries. Every dish has a story to tell, be it a recipe passed down by your grandmother, a family secret recipe shared by a friend or a recipe created on accident while you were hungry at 3 am in the morning.

Growing up in a middle eastern country, I had the privilege of meeting people from different parts of the world and getting to try diverse flavors. From Pancit , a noodle dish from the Philippines by my parents colleague to a special version of Dosa from Tamil Nadu made by one of my friends mother, I realized the very important role that food plays in connecting people and the deep sentiment that it holds. This was a great influence for my interest in the culinary world to grow. There is a great joy in being able to explore the world through these recipes.

Dubu Jorim (braised tofu) a Korean dish

Zaalouk A Moroccan salad made of brinjal and tomato

One of my favorite youtuber and inspiration is Beryl Shereshewsky. Beryl, a food content creator, takes video submissions of recipes from her viewers and shares them on her channel. She has given a platform to ordinary people to share their extraordinary recipes and stories. It's so interesting to see the use of same ingredients in different ways by people from different parts of the world. Each region has their own unique flavors and techniques. Through these shared dishes we can not only get a glimpse of their stories and memories, but also understand and appreciate their culture and history on a deeper level.

Food also plays a vital role in expressing solidarity, upholding and uplifting a culture. Take for example, Makloubeh , which translates to upside-down, a Palestinian dish made by stacking vegetables, chicken and rice. People from all around the world have tried to make this dish and post about it online, to raise awareness and clear their stance. This has not only helped preserve and share the rich Palestinian culture, but also helped bridge people together.  

In this day and age, with the help of internet, connecting through recipes have never been easier. A recent example of the extraordinary power of food is the “viral cucumber salad” made by a food content creator Logan Moffitt. The video he posted on TikTok garnered over 10 million views within a few days. From then onwards, people all around the world have recreated his recipe and even put their own twist to the salad. People who dislike cucumbers have expressed their surprise on how good the salad really tastes. This is just one out of the many examples of how food unites people. 

English Strawberry Shortcake

 

Cinammon rolls, thought to have originated
 from Sweden

Bangladeshi Murgir Maangsher Jhol
  (Chicken curry)

In every part of the world, food acts as a common thread that intertwines diverse cultures and stories. It broadens our horizon and builds a common ground. Through each shared meal and discovered flavor, we celebrate our differences and find comfort in our similarities. So, let’s continue to explore, taste, and connect one dish at a time.