Food, Culture and Identity

Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are. - Anthelme Brillat-Savarin The Physiology of Taste, 1825

Reading food

Food in traditions and celebrating special events : turkey during thanksgiving, mooncakes during mid-autumn festival, birthday cakes.
Food can carry special meaning : fish during chinese new year, suckling pig, lotus seeds, pomegranate
Many religions have rules about food : vegetarianism in Buddhism, kosher food In Judaism (site1, site2)
Legal rules about food can reflect history and political values: prohibition of dog or cat for food in HK, coffee houses in the Netherlands.
Eating habits can reflect political / moral convictions: refraining from foie-gras and veal, boycotting McDonald's.
How food is prepared or consumed is affected by changing economic conditions : speakeasy, fast food, domestic helpers.
There can be fashion trends in food as well : Japanese food in HK, Mongkok streetfood
Food and social status : table manners, quantity and type (lobster and caviar)
Food and personal relationships - the family meal, couples cooking together, dishwashing.
Food as high culture and art