Taste and Family Rituals

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    Taste is a major sense in life because it can connect us to our religious beliefs, cultural practices, and traditions. Although I do not actively practice religion or cultural traditions, I can connect to taste similarly. Through taste, I can be transported to an old memory or connect on a deeper level with an individual or even learn something new. Perez emphasizes in the chapter that taste is much more than personal food preferences. Her discussion made me think about the food rituals my own family has developed and how they influence me. 

My candy of choice as a kid


    I can recall from my childhood that I was made to watch etiquette videos to learn how to eat politely. However, it was not all bad because after I completed the videos I was required to watch for the week, I was rewarded with a king-size candy bar. I also remember my parents repeatedly saying, “Act like the Obamas are here.” This meant that I was expected to behave properly during times of eating and to use good manners, as if there were important guests sitting in our family dining room. They helped establish a particular eating style in my household, creating our own form of rituals. 

   





 Perez’s discussion of how people learn from food preferences and practices associated with the Orishas helped me better understand the connection. She explores how food traditions are passed down and how following them can express respect and belonging in a religious community. Similarly, my parents use mealtime to teach me how to behave and what their expectations are. Although my family’s rituals are far from the religious practices Perez describes, both show how food can be connected to learning, relationships, and shared expectations. This made me realize that even ordinary family routines can have a deeper meaning and influence how we understand food and the people around us.

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