It is not easy to write about the development of Food Anthropology over the past half century and its contribution to the understanding of human society and culture around the world. Yet, it is honoured to have Ellen Messer (1984), Jon D. Holtzman (2006) and Lynne Phillips (2006) published articles in the Annual Review of Anthropology. With the themes of diets, food and eating, globalization and memory, they concisely reviewed the development and significance of food anthropology at different times and its importance of interpreting social culture, as well as explored the mutual relationship between global and regional food culture. The development of food culture spans hundreds of years and spreads around the world, expanding our horizons and repositioning the problem of global integration. In view of this for the review of Food Anthropology, this proposal will only introduce some of the more representative theories and situation after the Second World War. In addition, food culture in Hong Kong’s community will be used as a case study, in order to provide an understanding of the food culture change in Southern China and its social significance.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. From local traditional food to the phenomenon of globalisation
3. Case Study - Hong Kong
4. Explore the social culture of food safety
Research Objectives and Themes
This research essay aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the development of Food Anthropology since the Second World War and explores the significant changes in food culture within Southern China, using Hong Kong as a primary case study to illustrate the intersection of local identity and global influences.
- The theoretical evolution of food anthropology and its disciplinary significance.
- The complex interplay between globalization, localization, and national identity.
- The socio-cultural impact of food production, mass consumption, and food safety issues.
- The construction of "tradition" through cultural nostalgia, specifically regarding Hong Kong's "poon choi".
Excerpt from the Book
Case Study - Hong Kong
Let’s explore how the diversity of food and change in food choice can reflect the daily cultural construction and sense of identity in the metropolis of Hong Kong. From the fifties, Hong Kong society has experienced a variety of cultural changes in response to the increase in immigrant population, and food is one example. From the provinces outside the Pearl River Delta increases to the popularisation of Beijing and Shanghai cuisines, to the seafood in the late seventies, yewei (wild animals and birds hunted for food) and new Cantonese cuisine adding in Western elements and services, the importance of food culture is assured to comprehend the social changes.
In the past two to three decades, Hong Kong has not only gained some degree of innovation and change in the new Cantonese cuisine, it has also had extensive access to fast food from the United States, exquisite French cuisine, cordial Italian food, Japanese sushi, Korean barbecue, spicy Thai dishes, Vietnamese dishes influenced by China and France, together with Chinese cuisine of different localities. This enriches people’s understanding of food culture and reflects the milestone of Hong Kong community in the development of international financial trade. Since the sixties, the rapid development of Hong Kong’s light industry and the relative stability of social politics have brought about a socio-economic transformation. The living standards of Hong Kong people have been greatly improved, and the pursuit of materials has been relatively raised. Aside from the importation of foreign cultures, some Hong Kong people have the ability to travel abroad and thus deepen the contact with other countries. Yet, the foreign food culture is still in its infancy.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter reviews the development of food anthropology since World War II, establishing the theoretical framework for interpreting food as a cultural symbol and social intermediary.
From local traditional food to the phenomenon of globalisation: The chapter examines how international trade and imperialism have fundamentally altered food production patterns and influenced modern dietary habits and global consumption.
Case Study - Hong Kong: This section investigates how Hong Kong's unique socio-economic evolution and immigrant history have shaped its diverse food culture, highlighting the recent emergence of nostalgic food trends like "poon choi".
Explore the social culture of food safety: The final chapter analyzes the moral and health implications of large-scale food production and the urgent need to address systemic food safety challenges in an interconnected global market.
Keywords
Food Anthropology, Globalization, Hong Kong, Food Culture, Localization, Cultural Identity, Social Significance, Consumption, Food Safety, Traditional Food, Poon Choi, Modernity, Nutrition, Commodity, Cultural Heritage
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research essay?
The essay explores the field of Food Anthropology, examining how food practices reflect human culture, social structures, and the complex relationship between global integration and local traditions.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include the evolution of culinary theories, the impact of globalization on local food production, the construction of cultural identity through food, and the social challenges associated with food safety.
What is the core research goal?
The objective is to understand the transformation of food culture in Southern China, with a specific focus on how Hong Kong’s food habits mirror its political, social, and economic identity shifts.
Which methodology is employed in the work?
The author utilizes an anthropological approach, relying on literature reviews, ethnographic observation, and case study analysis to interpret the symbolic and material aspects of food.
What does the main body of the text address?
It covers the history of food anthropology, the global movement of ingredients, the rise of consumerism in food, and specific case studies like the "poon choi" tradition and food safety concerns in China.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Food Anthropology, Globalization, Identity, Localisation, Consumption, and Food Safety.
How is the "poon choi" tradition interpreted in the context of Hong Kong?
The author argues that "poon choi" has evolved from a rural village feast into a commercialized "nostalgic" dish that allows urban Hong Kong residents to construct a sense of local identity in the face of rapid globalization.
What conclusions are drawn regarding food safety?
The text concludes that food safety is no longer a localized issue but a border-crossing concern linked to mass production and international trade, requiring urgent ethical and structural attention.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Andrea Fung (Autor:in), 2017, The change in Southern China's food culture and its social significance, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/374753
