What is Ethnic Fusion Cuisine?

Our country which has long been a "melting pot" of cultures is now continuing a growing smorgasbord in our kitchens. And of course, this is based on the tastes of ever diversifying ethnic groups in our country.

So it stands to reason that both professional chefs to home cooks are experimenting with all kind of ingredients to create new dishes that reflect the variety of taste sensations.

Well fusion cuisine doesn't involve chemistry or physics and is not particularly related to kitchenware. Fusion ethnic cuisine combines the best food elements across many ethnic groups. And that may translate to simply adding an unusual ingredient to a traditional dish or preparing a meal that you've made a hundred times but adding a spicy sauce from another culture. Think good ole American meat loaf baked with Caribbean jerk barbecue sauce, or pasta with Asian peanut sauce.

Importantly, fusion cuisine brings in a grand sense of adventure, breaking down cultural barriers as well as discovery of exciting new combinations of flavors. Simply because we are better traveled, we've become more open to and less inhibited by food habits and traditions, and so we're more likely to embrace fusion cuisine.

One simple example of an ethnic fusion food is the bagel. In the 1890's bagels were eaten mainly by Jews from Eastern Europe. The Lender's Bakery, a well known family-run business started in 1927, brought the bagel to popularity all across the country. Today's bagels are much larger and have evolved through addition of mixed ethnic ingredients such as sun-dried tomatoes and chili peppers. Bagels are now consumed by many people throughout the US.

So, due to the huge influence of the media about ethnic cuisines, the relative ease of travel to all parts of the world, internet availability and access, we are now exposed to a greater variety of food than ever. Just a look down any major grocery store aisle shows them filled with herbs and exotic fruits and vegetables in multi-ethnic ingredients, foods and salad bars, and Sushi-meters. You're probably experiencing ethnic fusion cuisine without recognizing it. For instance, take a fairly typical American diet: a bagel (a Jewish tradition) slathered with Mexican jalapeno cream cheese, along with a cafe au lait (French) for breakfast. Lunch can be a Greek salad with foccacia bread (Italian), while dinner can be stir-fry over Asian basmati rice. And the grand finale will be the good ole American apple pie. For more detailed information and research, you'll want to check out the Food Product Design and Answers sites.