Tasty Travels Through Time
The Flavors of Recollection
Savoring History: A Guide to Rice
Life is rice. Literally. We are the product of countless generations of ancestors who consumed rice, combining endless recipes unique to each continent. Rice has been around since forever thanks to cultivation, migration and trade. The grain is practically embedded in our DNA. Rice stands at the heart of many cultures, connecting all kinds of beliefs, traditions and folklores. To understand rice and its history means to understand yourself and the world around you. It provides us insight into how humanity has evolved over time through the various ways it’s been used and prepared. So yeah, sugar, spice and everything rice because wow, rice is friggin awesome.
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Rice cultivation sowed vast historical and cultural tapestries that we can use to understand how the world has developed into its present day form. If you didn’t know already, rice is a grain with over 120,000 distinct species across plantations. These grains might appear small and unassuming, but don’t let that fool you. They're delicious, nutritious and basically the best food like..ever. Although the exact origins of rice are still uncertain, evidence leans towards the idea that it was first domesticated 9,000 years ago in the Yangtze River, a large basin in China. Rice was especially prevalent throughout Asia for many years before…BAM! Suddenly it was everywhere. Its cultivation spread across the globe like wildfire due to rising trade routes, agriculture and migration. Our little grain friends hopped on over to Eurasia, Africa and eventually landed in America. Rice was quickly popularized through its capacity to be used in meals, products, medicine, decorations and trade. Rice could do anything and everything. Learning about how humanity has produced and consumed rice can help us gain a better understanding of the lives of people in different eras. This idea is expanded on by Nicole Dudenhoefer in her article, A Taste of Home (https://www.ucf.edu/pegasus/a-taste-of-home/). “Whether we share a love for a dish, or we’re divided over a delicacy, food has the power to shift relationships, families, societies, and entire cultures. It’s a marker of history, political relations, economic status, social norms and cultural identity." These lines can be applied to rice as it holds behind a chain of unique human experiences that reflect the past.
​ The most prominent outcome of rice cultivation was the birth of religious practices and cultures that served a reminder of ones roots. As fabulously said by Helena Heymeyer in her article, The Cultural Significance of Rice in the Philippines: My Journey to Understanding Rice (https://iep.berkeley.edu/content/cultural-significance-rice-philippines-my-journey-understanding-rice),“The most important lesson that I have learned is that rice is the foundation for a cultural and culinary understanding that goes beyond being a simple side dish. It is the livelihood basis for millions of smallholders in the Philippines and the world. It is a highly variable and adaptable crop that can grow in various climates and be cultivated under different practices.” Her words demonstrate that rice didn't just hold a significant historical value back then but a cultural one too. This was felt by numerous countries, not just the Philippines. It was cheap, filling, abundant and was a primary source of sustenance for many people. Eventually, each continent fabricated their own beliefs, customs and traditions through rice, using it as a guiding light for their communities and overall livelihoods. Their lives were so intertwined with rice they practically became the grain. Sort of.
PHEW! I KNOW THAT WAS A LOT OF INFORMATION! TAKE A BREAK CHECK OUT THIS CLIP! (EVEN MORE INFORMATION!)
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This clip provides us with a background on rice and its relationship with culinary cultures.
Bulu, The Figure of a Male Rice Deity is a cultural artifact from the Ifugao people that indirectly echoes the significance of rice across the globe. Now, for context, the little statue was distinguished for its symbolic and functional use in Filipino traditions in Luzon, showcasing a handsome, bald male figure carved from wood. The figure you see stood as a staple in everyday life for Ifugao people, and its purpose was pretty fascinating. A little spooky too. It was used to channel spiritual ancestors to guard rice crops in granaries by warding off bad spirits. Yeah…so actually, that’s a lot more than a little spooky if you ask me. Ceremonies and rituals were associated with the Bulul to call out these ancestors. The society’s culture pretty much revolved around rice (as you probably gathered by now), as its existence stood to symbolize fertility and abundance. The artists who created the statues used wood from the narra tree to generate health, abundance and prosperity into their lives. Whoo! Now you may be wondering, what does this have to do with understanding the whole world with rice? By understanding the culture of the Ifugao people, we’re also learning about the deeper histories, economy, climates about this region that can be gathered by studying other cultures artifacts as well. If you’re confused, I am too...let me try again. This Balul figure holds a cultural significance because it offers tangible evidence of this community's past. It gives us a glimpse into their various beliefs, practices, technical advancements and daily living. By understanding how cultural artifacts can be used as a window to look at a region's past, we can apply it to other artifacts. Who knew rice had such a profound impact on people?
Bulul, Rice Deity Figure, 20th Century
Woo, all this chatting about food made me hungry. Enough indulging in rice history, let's indulge in its rich flavors by reviewing a dish from Las Delicias Taqueria. Las Delicias Taqueria is a restaurant that offers authentic homestyle Mexican cuisine, known for its spicy, bold and colorful presentations. Thanks to the internet, I discovered fun facts about this place. The establishment was founded by a Mexican immigrant and his wife after he had lost his job and decided to sell food with their children and nieces who enjoyed the craft. As a Hispanic with a family who loves to cook, I just knew I had to give this place a try. When I first arrived, I was met with a lovely outdoor patio set in front of a simple beige structure. The bright red title “Las Delicias” above the doors called out to me, quickly drawing me inside. When I first stepped inside the restaurant, I was welcomed with a tapestry of warm and vibrant designs and colors. While the place was fairly small, with only 4-5 tables or so, its interior buzzed with life, with the echoes of laughter and conversations from workers mingling with the aromas of fresh tortillas, smoky spices and meat dancing through the air.
While there were various options on the menu with rice, I chose to review Mexican rice, a common staple in my household. My mom and I ordered our meals at the front and took our seats beside a window, enjoying the cozy and lively scenery wrapping around us. The service was quick, surprisingly so, and the workers here were friendly. It took less than 5 minutes before our meals were served to us, which was delightful because I’m impatient. At first glance, the food seemed simple and the plates appeared cheap but it worked especially well in keeping the food nice and steamy. The rice was painted a golden brown and came with a small cup of salsa to eat with it. At home, Mexican rice is often prepared with veggies like carrots and peas so I had the impression that it was going to taste well, you know…bland. I drizzled the salsa over the rice before digging in and...oh my goodness. The restaurant lived up to its name because girlll, that rice was delicious! Its soft and fluffy texture melted on my tongue, and its rich, aromatic flavors blessed my taste buds. I received notes of butter, salt, tomato and chicken broth paired with the spicy and lemony dressing from the salsa. The rice tasted just how my great abuelita cooked it. If you decide to visit, I recommend ordering a variety of side dishes like beans, veggies, salsa, chips etc. to pair it with the meal. Pairing the main dish with side dishes is a common cultural practice in Mexico meant to complement and enhance each other's flavors and textures. Since rice is absorbent, it makes for a perfect base to combine these rich flavors. Overall, Las Delicias Taquera and the food was a 9/10. The restaurant was welcoming and the food was quick, hot, and ready. Not to mention it was convenient and affordable. If you're looking to eat at a place that's both cheap and filling, then I recommend coming here.
