Cultural Evolution Through Cooking

Cultural evolution is one of those subjects I really haven’t touched on. This is partially because I’m not an anthropologist- it makes me likely to have BS called on my writing. The unprofessional layperson’s definition of cultural evolution would be; those who do stupid things, die.

Stupidity, I’m sure you are aware, comes in many different colors and flavors. Since I’m talking about cultural evolution and cooking, this entry will give you a better idea of why people cook their pork well done (or don’t eat it at all)

• Why don’t Jewish people and Muslims eat pork?

There are a couple possibilities for this. As you may know, holy books are full of laws constraining diet, sexual behavior, and much more. As it turns out, there are often good reasons for this, albeit ones that are somewhat obsolete in the year 2009.

As to the “just say no to pork” rule, there are two main theories. The one that has the most credence is that pigs often carry the deadly parasite Trichinosis. It would stand to reason that a holy book would ban food that could possibly kill the diner. This was way before people understood that you need to cook pork thoroughly before eating it.

The other possibility is that pigs eat anything, and too much of it. Although pigs will happily consume garbage, they also have a distinct appetite for human food. The ban on pork throughout middle east regions could have to do with the lack of enough arable land to feed both humans and piggies.

• Why do people in hot places like India, Mexico, and Thailand eat such spicy food? Isn’t it hot enough there already?

You have probably taken a bite of authentic Mexican mole, a hot curry, or a dash of Sriracha sauce and wondered this yourself. The truth behind this is that some spices are thought to contain anti-microbial properties. In hot areas where meat spoils quickly, it makes sense that people would drench their food in spicy goodness.

Before refrigeration, many other cultures used equally creative, if not quite as tasty preparations. These preservation techniques are thought to be responsible for the horrors of Scandinavian cuisine.

I am lutefisk, destroyer of worlds. Courtesy of Adam Drew

Bork Appetite!