by Joshua K. Bradshaw

Created on: October 08, 2009   Last Updated: October 10, 2009

It's hard to know where to start when discussing such a broad subject. Food and beverages are one of those topics everyone is passionate about. It'd be hard to find one person who wouldn't love to go into deep detail about their favorite foods and drinks.

Often food is tied in with nationalism and/or regionalism, and people get into heated arguments over which country or region's recipe for a particular dish is better. For instance, think of Manhattan clam chowder verses New England clam chowder, Texas barbecue verses Kansas City barbecue,Belgian waffles verses French toast (ok I made that one up), but you get the idea.

Food is a wonderful point of common interest to argue and debate about. It is also therefore subjective, as no two people have exactly the same tastes. While the gamy taste of mutton is deeply loved by some, others prefer the more mild taste of beef. Some people like foods that are very spicy, while others can't 'take the heat'.

The a particular geography, climate, culture and religion of a particular region or country will give you clues as to their preferred local dishes. Argentina, with its ample grasslands, is known as being a major cattle producing area. Therefore, it's not surprising that many of the local dishes emphasize beef as the main ingredient.

Japan, on the other hand, with its high population density and limited farmland, looks to the sea for its main food source. All manner of fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and seaweed are enthusiastically consumed along with rice noodles.

India, being a predominantly Hindu nation, have many of those who practice strict vegetarianism and therefore use many hearty vegetables along with beans and legumes to compensate for the necessary protein.

In Islamic countries the consumption of pork and alcoholic beverages is frowned upon, so you are unlikely to find these items outside of areas frequented by western tourists, diplomats, and businessmen/women.

Northern Europeans consume much seafood, as well as beef, mutton, poultry and dairy products. They often eat fruits and vegetables grown better in colder climates. There's a big emphasis on beer as the alcoholic beverage of choice in many northern European countries.

Southern Europeans have more variety of foods to choose from due to the milder climate, so its not surprising that their recipes often have fresher ingredients. In addition to the foods enjoyed by northern Europe, southern Europeans consume much olive oil, citrus fruits, and a wide variety of fresh vegetables and prefer to drink wine more than beer. Both northern and southern Europeans love sausages, bread and cheese.

Food is a both wonderful topic of conversation and a great way to learn about different cultures. Though you may not be able to travel to exotic destinations to feast on their gastronomic works of art, you may have many immigrant communities in your home city where native fare is served in ethnic restaurants. Work up your courage and try them out. Keep an open mind and you'll be delightfully surprised.

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