Hi guys! Boi 1 (Andrea) here to give you the scoop on local delicacies of Japan. First, we'll focus a bit on the geographical factors that make regions differ in terms of cuisine. These will vary depending on the location of the area of focus. Secondly, we'll focus on historical events that have shaped Japanese cuisine. However, we won't actually have much time to delve into the different kinds of foods that each area of Japan specializes in, but don't worry--we'll save that for later.
The location of a region can have several different impacts on the kinds of plants that can be grown. Latitude causes the angle at which the Sun's light hits the Earth to vary. Lots of direct sunlight allows for vegetation to flourish, while less direct sunlight may mean that only certain kinds of hardy vegetation are able to grow.
Of course, climate also affects flora's growth. Direct sunlight to a region does not have any value if there is no water to help it grow. For this reason, the amount of rainfall and temperatures of a region are important factor that can also decide the resources that are able to be harvested. Lots of sun, water, and warm temperatures allow for many different kinds of vegetation to grow, as we can clearly see in Tokyo. In contrast, Canada's switch from hot summers to harsh winters mean that vegetation that can only flourish in hot and sunny climates has limited time to grow.
Moreover, there are certain kinds of plants that cannot survive in Canada because of the bitter winters. The soil and terrain of an area will also have an effect on the plants that grow. Rocky terrains (such as that of the Rocky Mountains) are likely able to grow only a limited amount of specialized flora, while more open and softer terrains (such as the Prairies) are likely to grow in variation.
Japan's history and contact with other countries has also greatly affected their cuisine. The first foreign influence that Japan experienced was from China, around 300 B.C (Food in Every Country--Japan, 2006). The use of chopsticks, and the consumption of soy sauce and tofu was also due to exposure of Chinese culture. Buddhism also played a massive part in Japanese people's culture. The rise of Buddhism in 700 A.D. led to a ban on eating meat. As a result, the Japanese developed the now world-wide famous sushi.
Beginning in the early 1200s, trade with other countries brought Western-style influences into Japan. The Dutch introduced corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, while the Portuguese introduced batter-frying methods, such as tempura. After a ban of nearly 1000 years, beef was reintroduced into the Japanese cuisine. Moreover, Western foods such as bread, coffee, and ice cream, became popular during the late 20th century. Another Western influence experienced was the introduction of timesaving cooking methods, such as the electric rice cooker, packaged instant noodles, instant miso soup, and instant pickling mixes.
As we can see, Japan's geographical and historical factors have played a huge influence on their cuisine. From soba, to sushi, to even dangos served at tea shops, everything that the Japanese have integrated into their menus is influenced by these two factors (and many more). After years of living in Canada, Japan's cuisine is a sight to behold. Next time, we'll focus on the juicy bits--Japan's local delicacies!
Stay tuned!
Andrea
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