English Culture

English Culture

Blog Post #1

April 12, 2015

By Mitch Stafiej

The culture I chose to research and focus on is the UK, specifically England.  I have always been interested in English culture because even though it is one of the most similar countries to America in many ways, it is completely different.  The only thing I really know about the food in England is that “fish and chips” is the stereotypical most popular food of the English.  However, because fish and chips is a type of fast food in England, I am more curious about the traditional, home cooked meals that are popular in England and how they differ from what is popular in the United States.

 

Geography and history have heavily shaped the foods that the English have enjoyed for hundreds of years.  While many people think that England is made up of large cities like London or Manchester, the majority of England is farmland.  Because of the number of farms that raise cows and pigs, pork and beef have become very common in meals. Fish is another food that is very prevalent in English foods. Fish is so common in England because the country is surrounded by water on almost all sides. History has also played an important role in the popular foods of England.  Until fairly recently, the English have controlled Ireland.  The Irish produce an enormous amount of potatoes, so much in fact, that when they didn’t grow for several years straight, ¼ of their population died.  With the English in control and an excess of potatoes, it is no wonder that potatoes are used in almost every single traditional English dish. 

Farmland In England

"The History Place - Irish Potato Famine: Introduction." The History Place - Irish Potato Famine: Introduction. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.

"England Forever." England Geography. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.

 "ISA - London, England Cultural Highlights." London, England Cultural Highlights. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.      https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2485/3948261500_4462574c70.jpg