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 For
quite some time
the food in New Zealand was often considered very limited
and bland with little taste (flat). There was little
options on offer, and all foods were based on the English
traditional styles such as meat and 3 veggies, or the
classic fish and chips. The use of seasoning such as
garlic, onion, salt, herbs and spices was always kept to
an absolute minimum. There also seem to be reluctance to
trying exotic and different foods, as if trying would put
them in risk of losing their national identity, and change
was seen as a threat.
Until
the 1980’s,
if for a moment we could stop the country at dinner time,
we would probably find that 80% of the population would be
eating the same thing – Meat with 3 vegetables. When
immigration became more accessible (especially to the
Asian countries), things started to change. NZ started to
see a move from traditional foods, to more diverse, fresh
and exotic food, and supermarkets are increasingly adding
more and more different foods to their shelves. However
the majority of the Kiwi population is still very much
based on their traditions, and might try something new
only once in a while. NZ grew around farm life and
production, and what did they eat on the farms? Basically
what they produced, meaning Lamb or sheep meat, chicken,
and vegetables and salads. Typically these foods where
eaten during breakfast instead of dinner, to give farmers
energy to face the field. But that was in the old days.
Today things have changed towards the modern ways,
especially in the cities. In the rural areas there are
still some families who have kept this habit.
Apart
from the Immigrants,
another factor that has contributed to the food changes,
was the need to export. NZ food products are considered
throughout the world as being of excellent quality.
However to produce such high quality products to such
little demand, meant that Nz producers had to look else
where for their products. This necessity to export, and to
leave the restricted local market, not only changed the
nations economy, but to use all of its creative powers to
reach its goals. One of them was the Kiwifruit, which was
originally imported from China, and adapted well in the
north island. It was called Chineseberry, but
during the cold war against communism, that name had
little appeal to the American market. They though of
changing it to Kiwiberry, but berries are a lot smaller, a
so they just called it the Kiwifruit. Other
products that were never consumed by the New Zealander,
started to be produced with an eye for the external
market. Different cheeses such as Parmesan and Swiss were
now being found on the supermarket shelf. Rice imported
from Asia, were becoming more common and were consumed by
the immigrants. Tropical fruits such as mangoes, papaya,
oranges were also imported from various countries in
Oceania and Asia, and for that reason they are expensive
but at least they are available.
Today
in New Zealand’s major cities, you will find almost
anything and everything to cook various different and
exotic dishes. Thousands of restaurants, cafes, take
aways, and food courts in shopping centres now offer foods
from around the world. Indian, Mexican, Italian,
Malaysian, Turkish, Greek and the list goes on. The price
of food in New Zealand has never been so high, and a few
years ago they it was much cheaper then Australia. But
like I have mention before as things have changed. There
are still many products lacking, such as foods from Latin
America. But all you need is a little creativity and to
know the right places to search that you will find almost
anything that you need.
Read more about food in New Zealand...
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