Wednesday, May 15, 2013
REFLECTION #1 - Food of Costa Rica
We all know that food is an important part of life. Cultures can be defined by the food they eat. Share about your experience with food thus far in Costa Rica. Compare/contrast the food in Costa Rica with what you eat in the US. (types, colors, aromas, tastes, preparations, etc). How have you adapted to the food in Costa Rica? Did you get to see any locals eating and how does that compare to the US?
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So far, here in Costa Rica, I have experienced a lot of really awesome things. I am really enjoying the chance to use my Spanish, and I have been able to use them to help other people in the group too. I love the people here: they are so nice and patient and they all seem to love that we are here. I appreciate that since they are sharing their beautiful country with us.
ReplyDeleteThe food here is delicious. I have discovered that it is always fresh, with a salad that has multiple delicious fruits and vegetables, delicious meat, and fresh rice and beans. It is really easy to find fresh fruit around here, and it is all so delicious. There are pineapples, mangos, papayas, watermelon, and guanabana to taste, among other yummy fruits. After one of my meals, for instance, I had a bowl of watermelon and pineapple for my dessert, and man did it taste good! Every typical Costa Rican meal comes with rice, beans, meat and salad. Most of the meat dishes are in sauces with other vegetables and beans, and so far they have all been absolutely fantastic. Even the food in the cafeteria at the college campus is wonderful, despite my previous experience with dining hall food at State! Much of the food is fresh and healthy, but they also have their share of tasty pastries too! I have tasted a pastry with dulce de leche, a caramel-like substance, and an apple strudel. They were so good and my friends here said their choices were delicious as well. I believe that if I stayed in Costa Rica for a long time, I would eat a lot more healthy, fresh food, but I know I would also just eat a lot of food. What can I say? It is absolutely to die for.
Margaret
I have never eaten so healthy before in my life. The food in Costa Rica is healthy and mostly organic. Each meal has its own fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, and of course, rice and beans. You can really taste the freshness and quality in everything you eat. I am super excited to be here and fully embracing this culture.
ReplyDeleteLaurenAshley
The food here is really good. I am known as a picky eater by my peers, but I am enjoying the food. The fruits are much fresher here compared to fruits in the States. I have noticed that many of the foods have some spices that I am not used to. Some of these are while others are not. Overall I am enjoying the food as a great mixup to my normal diet.
ReplyDeleteGarrett
This is probably the most properly nourished I have been in a long time. I feel that I am actually eating a balanced meal for the first time. At our time at both San Jose and Monteverde, we've ate a huge variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, and grains. While the primary grain and protein source is rice and beans, which are kinda plain, we have had a huge variety in fruits and vegetables, and even meat to an extent. The one thing I really like about the food in every place I have ate is the quality and the freshness. Everything I have eaten has a taste that is noticeably fresh, even things as simple and plain a watermelon taste more delicious than any watermelon I've had in the States.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, the food has been a lot different than I was expecting. While I knew that the food was going to be different from the traditional Mexican/Hispanic restaurants in the States, I was not prepared for how different it would actually be. Yesterday, during our time for lunch in Monteverde, I ordered something that I have ordered before in the States, and it was completely different from what I was expecting. At first, I was a little shocked and confused as to what this new food was but, to my surprise, I have enjoyed literally everything. One dessert that I have particularly enoyed that Margaret helped me discover is a tres leche. It's basically a sweetened milk jelly, similar to carmel, in between two sugar cookies. The outside is usually covered by a powdered sugar or some other sweetener. Overall, the food has been really good and I have not had to dip into my emergency snacks. I am so grateful that the Costa Rican people are patient enough to help me with my broke Spanish to be able to order their delicious food.
As any cook (especially a mom) knows, the fastest way to get to the heart is through the stomach. Food is a universal binder between all societies, because no one can exist without it. However, its manifestations are diverse, and reflective of the available resources, cultural values, and resources. Does the menu include meat? Are there references to organic, or locally grown produce? My experience in Costa Rica has confirmed this view of food is a fundamental manifestation of culture. I have eaten some of the most wonderful and fresh fruits, and enjoyed hot coco half a mile from the cow that produced it. On the other hand, I have looked at restaurants whose menus boast authentic Costa Rican cuisine, right next to “American! Hamburgers and Fries!” To me, this reflects a culture torn between a strong commitment to the environment, and the need to serve the colossal tourist industry. While Costa Rica is not typically considered a “foodie’s” country because of the continual use of key ingredients (rice and beans anyone??), its cuisine is as expressive as any country that I have visited. I have been overwhelmed by the care that goes into the preparation, and the kindness of the cooks.
ReplyDeleteZoë