Food writing, culture and the problem with white-washing food from another culture. Almost every Indian who grew up with their food being made fun of will tell you, we have a complicated relationship with turmeric, especially the latest trend, Turmeric latte!
I have so, so many strong feelings about this topic (and also on how yoga has been co-opted)! I love that there’s so much love for Indian food. I hate how it’s reduced to a few dishes with absolutely ZERO awareness of the variety and complexity in the cuisine. And I really appreciate you commenting on how the translation to curries, stews, etc does absolutely nothing to elevate understanding. And don’t even get me started on “golden milk”....
With you 100%. I hate trying to find a recipe comparable to some amazing traditional food I've eaten, then reading through it only to find that it has been altered in some significant way to accommodate Western preferences. Sadly, the same trend tends to prevail in restaurants.
Experimentation and syncretism are great, but it's important that people who know their own traditions take pride in them and insist on promulgating them intact.
Jamie Oliver is notorious for this in the UK: "my take on a..." At best it comes across as ignorant, at worst the most crass kind of cultural appropriation
Well said. Understanding foreign cuisine can be an arduous process that depends a lot on where you live and the size of the diaspora. Often, it’s the children of migrants who can bridge the gap in knowledge and are most enthusiastic about sharing authentic dishes. Blogs like these can also help!
I love this. I completely agree BUT I have absolutely made the same mistakes as every white woman in your story. Thank you for giving me a lot to think about and learn.
I have so, so many strong feelings about this topic (and also on how yoga has been co-opted)! I love that there’s so much love for Indian food. I hate how it’s reduced to a few dishes with absolutely ZERO awareness of the variety and complexity in the cuisine. And I really appreciate you commenting on how the translation to curries, stews, etc does absolutely nothing to elevate understanding. And don’t even get me started on “golden milk”....
I feel this way when I see "rainbow bagels".
Silly Nigella.
I love how they were too proud to admit their mistake in their written response, but decided to take down/ rename the recipe after your complaint.
With you 100%. I hate trying to find a recipe comparable to some amazing traditional food I've eaten, then reading through it only to find that it has been altered in some significant way to accommodate Western preferences. Sadly, the same trend tends to prevail in restaurants.
Experimentation and syncretism are great, but it's important that people who know their own traditions take pride in them and insist on promulgating them intact.
Jamie Oliver is notorious for this in the UK: "my take on a..." At best it comes across as ignorant, at worst the most crass kind of cultural appropriation
Well said. Understanding foreign cuisine can be an arduous process that depends a lot on where you live and the size of the diaspora. Often, it’s the children of migrants who can bridge the gap in knowledge and are most enthusiastic about sharing authentic dishes. Blogs like these can also help!
I love this. I completely agree BUT I have absolutely made the same mistakes as every white woman in your story. Thank you for giving me a lot to think about and learn.