• Food and Gastronomy -> International cuisine and ethnic cooking

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How has International food media impacted the traditional cuisines of various countries and cultures?

Flo Bissell

Well, I believe that international food media has had a significant impact on traditional cuisines around the world. With the rise of social media and food bloggers, our access to different types of cuisine has become more widespread. This has led to greater cultural exchange and exposure to different ingredients and cooking techniques.

On the one hand, this has been great for foodies like myself who love to try new things. We can now access a wide range of global cuisines from the comfort of our own homes. We can follow Instagram accounts featuring chefs from all over the world, watch videos on YouTube demonstrating how to make traditional dishes, and read blogs detailing the history and cultural significance behind different foods.

However, there is a downside to this as well. International food media has led to the commercialization and standardization of many cuisines. For instance, you can now find sushi in almost any city around the world, but the sushi you get in Tokyo is often different than the sushi you get in New York or London. This standardization has led to a homogenization of traditional dishes, where the authentic flavors and techniques are often lost in translation.

Moreover, international food media has led to the appropriation and commodification of many traditional cuisines. This can be seen in the rise of "fusion" cuisine, where chefs try to combine different culinary traditions to create new, innovative dishes. While this can be exciting, it can also lead to a loss of cultural identity and a watering down of traditional dishes.

In conclusion, I think that international food media has both positive and negative effects on traditional cuisines. While it has given us greater access to different types of cuisine, it has also led to commercialization, standardization, and appropriation of these dishes. As users of social media, it is important for us to be mindful of the cultural significance behind the foods we consume and to support restaurants and chefs that prioritize authenticity and tradition.