home
kk

mediterranean cuisine

Mediterranean cuisine, as the name suggests, is a type of cookery found in cultures belonging to regions around the Mediterranean Sea. It includes: Turkish cuisine, Greek cuisine and Italian cuisine, among nineteen others. Although Turkish cuisine is remarkably different from Italian cuisine, both are different forms of Mediterranean cuisine. Since, there are plenty of olive trees in the region, olives are the most commonly used ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine, apart from eggplants, onions, mushrooms, artichokes, and legumes, not to forget yoghurt and the cheese. The most common method used for cooking any kind of food is grilling or broiling.

Mediterranean Cuisine History

The Mediterranean cuisine found today is somewhat different from that found in the olden days. Oranges, tomatoes and lemons are a recent addition to the cuisine. Since, this cuisine developed in a land situated at the center of cross-cultural interaction, it has been heavily influenced by other varieties of cuisine, besides influencing others itself. The culinary practices related to Mediterranean cuisine have influenced many who have conquered the Mediterranean territory and have, subsequently established empires. It was discovered by the Americans in the late 20th century and was first brought to attention of the American public by Dr. Ankel Keys in 1945.

Popularity of Mediterranean Cuisine

One of the famous facts about Mediterranean cuisine is the paradox; it consists of high amounts of fat, that’s why people near the Mediterranean Sea have very low rates of heart disease. The use of olive oil in the dishes is regarded as the main reason for this. It is argued that this may also be due to the freshness of the ingredients used and the emphasis on exercising. Lovers of Mediterranean cuisine also take a lot of pleasure in eating, and it has scientifically been proven that the slower you eat, the lesser are the chances of getting fat. Mediterranean cuisine has grown extremely popular over the past few decades, especially among the West, primarily due to globalization. As the boundaries between the countries have become narrower in terms of cultural exchange, there has been a rapid and welcoming exchange of food and customs including different varieties of cuisine the world over. Mediterranean cuisine is also very flexible, as it blends together a wide variety of ingredients making every dish unique and special. Moreover, a lot of fresh herbs having numerous health benefits are used in Mediterranean.

navigation:officials:topics:
  • copyright
  • privacy
  • contacts