Do you believe?
"Do you believe in love after love. I can feel something inside me say..."
What are your core beliefs? Are you spiritual? Down to earth? Or do you like brewing your soul into a world of foamy dreams? And no, I am not talking about what you think I am talking about. Although it has something to do with it.
You see, no matter what we believe in, every decision we make in life is based on value attribution. And those values are based on beliefs, even when it comes to food.
Every culture and civilization have attributed different values to their foods. For instance, cocoa was named Theobroma Cacao or "Food of the Gods" by the Mayans, it was also considered an aphrodisiac. On the other hand, milk has been associated with creation and divinity in many cultures. And how to forget about wine? That strange and yet magical liquid that has been accepted for many as "The Blood of Christ" and has made its way into almost every corner and party of the world. Its magic has been so incredible that many do not consider it alcohol, and you can also buy it everywhere and anywhere, compared to other delicious beverages. Such meanings and ways to see food have influenced the way cultures eat and cook.
In my case, coming from the island of Puerto Rico, coffee is more than just an excuse to sit and sip or to put in a mug and run. It means energy for work, it means bringing friends and family together, it represents the once mayor economy source of my land, and we are very proud of it. So proud that we drink it like water. We receive people at our homes with coffee, and we say our good byes with coffee. And depending on the region, some of us love to put cheese in our beloved cup of café con leche and dip some bread or cookies in it.
Let's accept it, and if you don't, I would recommend you to sit in a quiet place and meditate on how your beliefs have molded you're eating and cooking. Maybe your parents told you that "duck meat is too hard", as they used to say in Puerto Rico. Or that coffee "stimulates your libido" and therefore you cannot drink it, as I've heard some religions forbid.
As a cook and foodie, I have battled my cultural beliefs for years, submerging my soul in weird ideals, but with the passing of time, and having met so many people from around the world I have emerged victorious against such walls. I do believe in love after love. I am down to earth. I am spiritual, and I love to brew my soul into foamy dreams. I have transcended mine and other cultural influences and beliefs to a point where I can cook or eat many things without putting on faces, or feeling offended because of dish names and chef's ideals. Food is food. After all, I want to leave this world with savory memories, or bitter memories if the food was bad, but with memories.
But how about you? Can you evolve into a person of acceptance for any food, and therefore cultures, beliefs, and preferences? What won’t you eat? What beliefs are you willing to challenge for the sake of a good meal? Do you believe in love after love?