Cultural Politics of Food, Taste, and Identity: A Global Perspective

The Cultural Politics of Food,Taste,and Identity explores how taste is shaped by social, cultural, and political processes, with global case studies from Japan, China, India, Belize, Chile, Guatemala, the United States, France, Italy, Poland, and Spain. It discusses local responses to industrialized food and the heritage industry, professional culinary practice, and the construction of "local taste" in the context of sociocultural developments.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 06 May 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The Cultural Politics of Food,Taste,and Identity delves into the intricate web of social, cultural, and political factors that shape our perception of taste. This comprehensive exploration examines how flavor intertwines with local, translocal, glocal, and cosmopolitan politics of identity, creating a rich tapestry of culinary experiences. Through a series of global case studies, the book showcases diverse responses to industrialized food and the heritage industry, highlighting the pivotal role of professional culinary practice in shaping local identities. It also explores the evolving construction of "local taste" in the context of sociocultural developments, shedding light on the cultural divides that emerge between meat consumption, vegetarianism, innovation, tradition, heritage, social class, popular food, authenticity, and street and restaurant food. Contributors further delve into the global market of industrial and heritage foods, examining how various food products, such as kimchi, quinoa, and Soylent, have crossed borders, connecting different places and influencing taste and political identities. This thought-provoking book offers a deep understanding of the complex interplay between culture, food, and identity, providing valuable insights into the ways in which our culinary choices shape our world.

Weight: 580g
Dimension: 242 x 163 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350162723