Uncovering the Hidden Gems of Moroccan Cuisine

Food Culture Flattening in Travel

When we travel, we often encounter the flattening of food cultures. Take Indian food, for instance. Outside its homeland, it often gets reduced to a few familiar dishes, missing out on its true diversity. In Morocco, too, while tagines and couscous are well-known, there are countless other hidden gems. Just the other day, I had the most amazing cow feet with chickpeas at a local spot. It's a dish that tourists rarely get to experience but is truly delicious.

This flattening occurs because tourism shapes what gets cooked, grown, and served. Over time, locals start to believe that the tourist-friendly versions are the only true ones. It's a slow process of homogenization that we need to fight against.

Examples from Istanbul and Beyond

In Istanbul, a few years ago, my wife and I got tired of the same doner kebab-style food. Turkish cuisine is globally renowned, but at street-level restaurants, the variety is often lacking. However, a friend took us to a high-end regional spot that served a lot of vegetarian dishes. It was a revelation as vegetarian food is a significant part of Turkish cuisine but doesn't make it to the mainstream menus.

This shows how tourism can overshadow the true essence of a cuisine. We need to look beyond the tourist hotspots and explore the lesser-known aspects to truly understand a culture through its food.

Steps to Push Back

Awareness is the first step in pushing back against the flattening of food cultures. The farm-to-table movement has made progress, but tourism boards, hotels, airlines, and digital platforms have a crucial role to play. They can showcase the hidden treasures of local cuisines and encourage travelers to explore deeper.

As travelers, we also have a part to play. By slowing down and spending more time in one place, we can get under the skin of a destination. Slow travel allows us to truly immerse ourselves in the local culture and food.

I'm optimistic that with the information available today, we can make more informed choices and help preserve the rich diversity of food cultures. Let's continue to explore, one dish at a time.