8 Types of Cuisines Around the World
Did you know that no one knows the exact date when humans first started cooking? The beginning of cooking might have been around fire, frying, or roasting, but no one truly knows of the beginning.
Even still, cooking caught on, as have our passion and ability for it. If you love food, you’ve probably already explored many cuisines, but there’s still so much more to explore. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some types of cuisines around the world that are unique and great to try.
1. Italian Cuisine
Focusing largely on fresh, simple ingredients and classic flavor trends, Italian food varies from region to region in its style. From the classic wood-fired pizza of Naples to the spicy, cream-based dishes of Piedmont, there is much to explore.
Italy’s location along the Mediterranean coast has also heavily influenced its cooking. With a variety of seafood dishes being popular, especially in the south.
Other major parts of Italian cuisine include classic homemade pasta, olive oil, potatoes, and tomatoes. As well as a variety of meats such as beef, pork, and chicken. Italian dishes are often also filled with vegetables such as artichokes, peppers, eggplants, and mushrooms.
2. Chinese Cuisine
Chinese cuisine is one of the oldest and most varied world cuisines. It ranges from regional specialties to regional cross-cultural dishes.
Chinese regional cuisines are often divided into four styles – the southern Cantonese cuisine, the Anhui and Jiangsu cuisine of the east, the Sichuan and Hunan cuisine of the west, and the Beijing cuisine of the north.
Common Chinese ingredients include fresh vegetables, tofu, seafood, meat, and grains like rice and wheat. Chinese seasonal delicacies include mooncakes and pomelos.
Popular dishes include spicy Sichuan hotpot, roasted Peking duck, Cantonese dim sum, and Hainanese chicken rice. While regional cuisines are culturally distinctive, overall Chinese cuisine features a mix of sweetness, saltiness, and umami.
3. Japanese Cuisine
Popular dishes include sushi, tempura, and miso soup, Tokyo, is one of the cities renowned for its great food. You can find an array of different dishes from all over Japan with tempura restaurants abundant.
Interestingly, there is also a burgeoning selection of fusion restaurants that blend the distinct traditional tastes of Japan with western influences. Additionally, for the more adventurous, there is a large selection of tantalizing izakaya-style restaurants that serve grilled meats, vegetables, and seafood.
Shabu-Shabu is another popular dish that is widely popular in Japan. It is made using thinly sliced beef and vegetables boiled in a light broth and served with dipping sauces.
4. French Cuisine
French cuisine is known for its refinement and elegance as well as its reliance on fresh, seasonal ingredients. This cuisine takes inspiration from ingredients from all parts of France.
This includes the classic fines herbes which consist of chervil, parsley, tarragon, and chives. A typical French meal will consist of a starter such as onion soup or snails in garlic butter.
Followed by a main course such as steak or coq au vin and finished off with a classic French dessert like profiteroles. Although French cuisine is very popular, it is only one of the many cuisines types around the world.
5. Indian Cuisine
Indian Cuisine is diverse and has many regional variations, representing the various cultural backgrounds of India. Indian food, although varied, is usually prepared using a lot of herbs, spices, vegetables, and grains.
Common Indian dishes include Dal – which is a combination of lentils and split peas and curries made with a variety of vegetables and meats. Also, the tandoori dishes are marinated and cooked in a clay oven.
India is also known for its delicious snacks such as Indian samosas and sweet mithai. Indian Cuisine is heavily influenced by religion, culture, and geography and varies depending on the region.
6. Mexican Cuisine
It consists of traditional cooking techniques and ingredients that originated centuries ago. Including maize, beans, native spices and herbs, chiles, and pre-Hispanic elements like mushrooms and cacti.
Mexican dishes range from clay pot stews, tacos, tamales, and quesadillas to modern dishes of skewered meats, enchiladas, guacamole, and chiles rellenos.
Regional cooking styles vary, including variations that can be found in popular Mediterranean regions. Such as seafood from the coast and roasted chili peppers from northern areas.
7. Thai Cuisine
It is known for its spicy and flavorful dishes and has a unique use of aromatic herbs and spices. Common ingredients include coconut milk, galangal, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves.
Common dishes include tom yum goong, Pad Thai, and Green Curry. Thai cuisine is heavily influenced by India, thanks to the Indian traders who introduced chili and other spices.
Chinese techniques and dishes also influence Thai cuisine, which includes the use of wok frying. Latin American nations use chilies, garlic, and onions. Alongside these familiar ingredients are fruits and vegetables, and proteins like chicken, beef, pork, and seafood.
8. Greek Cuisine
It is a Mediterranean cuisine, featuring a huge variety of fresh seafood, olive oil, fresh herbs, and flavorful cheeses. Greek cuisine typically consists of Aegean Sea-influenced dishes such as tzatziki, dolmades, souvlaki, and moussaka.
It also includes Turkish dishes such as kebab and gyros, as well as traditional Greek desserts such as baklava and galaktoboureko. Of all Greek cuisines, mezes are the most popular; it’s a collection of small dishes traditionally served at the beginning of a meal, and often consist of an array of cold or hot appetizers.
Greek cuisine involves roasting, baking, grilling, and frying vegetables and cheeses. As well as combining the ingredients creatively to create an entire meal.
Exploring Types of Cuisines
Around the world, cuisines offer a variety of tastes, textures, colors, and aromas. From Italian to Ethiopian, Chinese to Mexican, the world is full of cultures that can be experienced through food and each one is delicious in its way. Try new types of cuisines today and expand your palate!
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