Religion & food culture
Here is a map of the different religions in the world and as we can see there is a huge variety and diversity. What is interesting, is that each religion has its own specific food culture.
Greek / Orthodox food culture
Mainly present in:
Greece
& around the world
Celebrations
Easter is one of the biggest celebrations during the Orthodox year, and along with it comes an important Easter meal. After fasting for 40 days during Lent, the Greek Orthodox have a big festive meal. The preparations start on the Holy Thursday, during which they prepare the Easter bread (Tsoureki) and dye the red eggs (colour of the blood of Christ). They do not cook on Holy Friday. On Holy Saturday, the mayiritsa soup is eaten after the midnight mass. On the morning of Easter Sunday the families start the preparations for the big feast.
Usually the main dish is made with lamb (often a whole roasted lamb representing the sacrificial lamb in the Bible), accompanied with potatoes and salad.
Other ingredients:
- olive oil
- feta cheese (which can only be found in Greece as it is a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) )
- sweets, pastries
- sweet and savoury breads
- rice pilaf (Mediterranean cuisine)
- salad, green leaves
Rituals:
Greek Orthodox people often use their hands in food preparation (mixing, combining foods) as they believe they are the best tools to do so and it connects them directly with what they eat.
Mainly present in:
Greece
& around the world
Celebrations
Easter is one of the biggest celebrations during the Orthodox year, and along with it comes an important Easter meal. After fasting for 40 days during Lent, the Greek Orthodox have a big festive meal. The preparations start on the Holy Thursday, during which they prepare the Easter bread (Tsoureki) and dye the red eggs (colour of the blood of Christ). They do not cook on Holy Friday. On Holy Saturday, the mayiritsa soup is eaten after the midnight mass. On the morning of Easter Sunday the families start the preparations for the big feast.
Usually the main dish is made with lamb (often a whole roasted lamb representing the sacrificial lamb in the Bible), accompanied with potatoes and salad.
Other ingredients:
- olive oil
- feta cheese (which can only be found in Greece as it is a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) )
- sweets, pastries
- sweet and savoury breads
- rice pilaf (Mediterranean cuisine)
- salad, green leaves
Rituals:
Greek Orthodox people often use their hands in food preparation (mixing, combining foods) as they believe they are the best tools to do so and it connects them directly with what they eat.
Islamic food culture
Mainly present in: (Middle East - North Africa)
Algeria
Tunisia
Maldives
Afghanistan
Iran
Mauritania
Turkey
Azerbaijan
Morocco
Iraq
Sudan
Libya
Pakistan
Egypt
Jordan
Syria
& around the world
Islamic food guidelines: Halal
The Islamics state that the Halal regulations are mostly to do with respect and peace around food.
According to their beliefs, the food consumed has to be prepared under the Islamic Law: the person who is killing an animal to be eaten has to believe in God and must kill it in the name of God. He must also face the Mecca and say a prayer during the kill. The animal must be drained of its blood in order to become pure, clean and healthy to eat. There are Halal slaughter houses around every country and even non-Halal restaurants often get their meats from those places as they are considered of “higher quality”. The owners of the slaughter houses try to get local animals as much as possible so there is the least stress for the animal during transport. Halal is also a lifestyle, it represents how the animal was treated during its growth (corn and water fed, rarely industrially grown), before it is killed and how it is killed. They explain that it is important to know where your meat comes from and how it has been processed before you eat it.
Key ingredients:
- chicken, lamb, meat
- rice
- bread
Prohibited foods:
- alcohol
- pork
Rituals:
Muslims usually say a prayer before eating their meal and perform the action of washing their face with their hands. Some eat the meal with their hands.
Mainly present in: (Middle East - North Africa)
Algeria
Tunisia
Maldives
Afghanistan
Iran
Mauritania
Turkey
Azerbaijan
Morocco
Iraq
Sudan
Libya
Pakistan
Egypt
Jordan
Syria
& around the world
Islamic food guidelines: Halal
The Islamics state that the Halal regulations are mostly to do with respect and peace around food.
According to their beliefs, the food consumed has to be prepared under the Islamic Law: the person who is killing an animal to be eaten has to believe in God and must kill it in the name of God. He must also face the Mecca and say a prayer during the kill. The animal must be drained of its blood in order to become pure, clean and healthy to eat. There are Halal slaughter houses around every country and even non-Halal restaurants often get their meats from those places as they are considered of “higher quality”. The owners of the slaughter houses try to get local animals as much as possible so there is the least stress for the animal during transport. Halal is also a lifestyle, it represents how the animal was treated during its growth (corn and water fed, rarely industrially grown), before it is killed and how it is killed. They explain that it is important to know where your meat comes from and how it has been processed before you eat it.
Key ingredients:
- chicken, lamb, meat
- rice
- bread
Prohibited foods:
- alcohol
- pork
Rituals:
Muslims usually say a prayer before eating their meal and perform the action of washing their face with their hands. Some eat the meal with their hands.
Halal certification symbol
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Food at the mosque (source)
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Jewish food culture
Mainly present in:
Israel
& around the world
The Jewish Law: Halakha
Similar to the Halal traditions, the Jewish Law states that the animal should be cut in a particular way, in a particular place with a particular tool. They certify that it should be 100% painless for the animal.
Kosher foods are the foods that are “fit for consumption” according to Halakha. Here are some examples:
- allowed animals: those who have a ruminating stomach, split hooves, scales & fins (at the same time)
- forbidden animals: camel, hare, pork, as well as some winged (birds of prey)
- cheese & milk is allowed if the animal has been killed according to the Jewish law
- wine is allowed (Kosher wines): every celebration is often done over a glass of wine
- bugs and insects aren’t Kosher: in restaurants they have to be extra careful and clean to avoid these
- food must be cooked by a Jewish person
Shabbat
This lasts from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. It is a time in the week when all electronic products are not allowed, and families spend time together. They usually have a festive dinner on the Friday evening, and avoid talking about work or business during the meal.
Rituals:
Jewish families usually bless the wine before the meal. Then they go and wash their hands before touching the bread to remove all spiritual impurities.
In the kitchen, dairy and meat are separated: in traditional kitchens, there are separate areas for both, as well as separate sinks and ovens. This is according to the phrase in the Bible: "You shall not boil a kid in its mother's milk” (Exodus 23:19).
Mainly present in:
Israel
& around the world
The Jewish Law: Halakha
Similar to the Halal traditions, the Jewish Law states that the animal should be cut in a particular way, in a particular place with a particular tool. They certify that it should be 100% painless for the animal.
Kosher foods are the foods that are “fit for consumption” according to Halakha. Here are some examples:
- allowed animals: those who have a ruminating stomach, split hooves, scales & fins (at the same time)
- forbidden animals: camel, hare, pork, as well as some winged (birds of prey)
- cheese & milk is allowed if the animal has been killed according to the Jewish law
- wine is allowed (Kosher wines): every celebration is often done over a glass of wine
- bugs and insects aren’t Kosher: in restaurants they have to be extra careful and clean to avoid these
- food must be cooked by a Jewish person
Shabbat
This lasts from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. It is a time in the week when all electronic products are not allowed, and families spend time together. They usually have a festive dinner on the Friday evening, and avoid talking about work or business during the meal.
Rituals:
Jewish families usually bless the wine before the meal. Then they go and wash their hands before touching the bread to remove all spiritual impurities.
In the kitchen, dairy and meat are separated: in traditional kitchens, there are separate areas for both, as well as separate sinks and ovens. This is according to the phrase in the Bible: "You shall not boil a kid in its mother's milk” (Exodus 23:19).
Catholic food culture
Mainly present in:
Europe
South America
Central Africa
& around the world
In the Catholic culture, wine represents the blood of Christ and bread represents the body of Christ. These are especially seen during communion at mass.
There are no food restrictions in this religion.
Celebrations
Lent is the period before Easter. During 40 days, traditional Catholics fast particular foods they usually enjoy, to prepare themselves in prayer for the resurrection of Jesus.
On the evening of Good Friday it is a tradition to eat simple foods and to abstain from eating meat in honour of the Passion of Jesus.
Easter is one of the biggest events in the Catholic calendar, during which eggs are decorated and eaten as a symbol of the resurrection of the Christ. Lamb can be eaten to represent the sacrificial lamb in the Bible.
Rituals:
Catholic families often say a prayer over their food before eating a meal together.
Mainly present in:
Europe
South America
Central Africa
& around the world
In the Catholic culture, wine represents the blood of Christ and bread represents the body of Christ. These are especially seen during communion at mass.
There are no food restrictions in this religion.
Celebrations
Lent is the period before Easter. During 40 days, traditional Catholics fast particular foods they usually enjoy, to prepare themselves in prayer for the resurrection of Jesus.
On the evening of Good Friday it is a tradition to eat simple foods and to abstain from eating meat in honour of the Passion of Jesus.
Easter is one of the biggest events in the Catholic calendar, during which eggs are decorated and eaten as a symbol of the resurrection of the Christ. Lamb can be eaten to represent the sacrificial lamb in the Bible.
Rituals:
Catholic families often say a prayer over their food before eating a meal together.
Buddhist food culture
There are many types of Buddhist religions. Their food diet is usually more vegetarian although it is allowed to eat meat and fish.
Their fasting days are on the New Moon and on the Full Moon.
Mainly present in:
Tibet
China
India
Sri Lanka
South-East Asia
Tibetan Buddhists:
Usually they do not eat any small animals such as chickens, ducks, goats or pigs are they say it is more practical to eat a larger animal: it is believed that it is less sinful to kill one large animal than several small ones.
Typical foods: rice, noodles, stamp (barley grains), yak, cow, fish in uncommon (it represents longevity and prosperity).
Nepalese Buddhists: do not eat beef or yak.
Chinese Buddhists:
- typical foods: tea, rice
- use of chopsticks
- Taoism
- celebrations: Lunar New Year (Festival of Spring) during which they have a banquet
There are many types of Buddhist religions. Their food diet is usually more vegetarian although it is allowed to eat meat and fish.
Their fasting days are on the New Moon and on the Full Moon.
Mainly present in:
Tibet
China
India
Sri Lanka
South-East Asia
Tibetan Buddhists:
Usually they do not eat any small animals such as chickens, ducks, goats or pigs are they say it is more practical to eat a larger animal: it is believed that it is less sinful to kill one large animal than several small ones.
Typical foods: rice, noodles, stamp (barley grains), yak, cow, fish in uncommon (it represents longevity and prosperity).
Nepalese Buddhists: do not eat beef or yak.
Chinese Buddhists:
- typical foods: tea, rice
- use of chopsticks
- Taoism
- celebrations: Lunar New Year (Festival of Spring) during which they have a banquet
Hindu food culture
Mainly present in:
Nepal
India
Mauritius
& around the world
There are 3 types of foods in the Hindu culture:
Sattvika (= property):
- represents strength, happiness, health, longevity
- foods: vegetables, legumes, cereals and sweets
Raajasika (= quality):
- represents activity, passion
- foods: hot, sour, spicy, salty
Taamasika (= sanctity):
- represents dullness, inertia
- foods: intoxicating, unhealthy
Traditionally Hindus have a vegetarian based diet but many eat meat and fish now.
Rituals:
Cooking is usually done by women in the family and traditionally men and women do not eat together.
Food can be offered to temples as a gift to the Gods.
Mainly present in:
Nepal
India
Mauritius
& around the world
There are 3 types of foods in the Hindu culture:
Sattvika (= property):
- represents strength, happiness, health, longevity
- foods: vegetables, legumes, cereals and sweets
Raajasika (= quality):
- represents activity, passion
- foods: hot, sour, spicy, salty
Taamasika (= sanctity):
- represents dullness, inertia
- foods: intoxicating, unhealthy
Traditionally Hindus have a vegetarian based diet but many eat meat and fish now.
Rituals:
Cooking is usually done by women in the family and traditionally men and women do not eat together.
Food can be offered to temples as a gift to the Gods.