Ark of Taste

Ark of Taste is a global initiative aimed at preserving endangered foods, traditional agricultural products, and food culture. It is a project of Slow Food, an international organization founded in 1989 to prevent the disappearance of local food cultures and traditions, counteract the rise of fast life, and combat people's dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes, and how our food choices affect the rest of the world.

Overview

The Ark of Taste catalogues and promotes heritage foods that are at risk of extinction. It serves as a repository of biodiversity and culinary tradition, highlighting foods that are sustainably produced, unique in taste, and part of a distinct ecoregion or culture. The initiative encourages the consumption and production of these foods to ensure they remain a living part of our shared food heritage.

Criteria for Inclusion

Foods nominated for inclusion in the Ark of Taste must meet several criteria:

• They must be of outstanding quality in terms of taste.
• They are at risk of extinction within a few generations.
• They are culturally or historically linked to a specific region, community, or tradition.
• They are produced in limited quantities, often by artisanal producers.
• They are sustainable in terms of their production and consumption.

Categories

The Ark of Taste includes a wide range of food products, such as:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Grains
• Livestock breeds
• Fish species
• Dairy products
• Beverages
• Honey, jams, and preserves

Impact

The Ark of Taste not only raises awareness about the risk of losing a vast array of food varieties but also plays a crucial role in maintaining agrobiodiversity and supporting small-scale, sustainable agriculture. It empowers communities by recognizing and valuing their food traditions and encourages the preservation of indigenous knowledge and techniques.

How to Nominate

Individuals, communities, and organizations can nominate a product for inclusion in the Ark of Taste by submitting detailed information about the food, its history, production process, and the risks it faces to the local Slow Food convivium. The nomination is then reviewed by a national committee before being added to the international catalog.

Examples

Some notable examples of foods listed in the Ark of Taste include:

• The Red Fife wheat of Canada, known for its complex taste and resilience.
• The Cherokee Purple tomato, an heirloom variety from the United States with a rich, smoky flavor.
• The White Park cattle, an ancient British breed known for its high-quality meat and milk.
• The Vanilla Orchid of Papantla, Mexico, which faces threats from industrial vanilla production and habitat loss.

See Also

• Slow Food
• Biodiversity
• Sustainable agriculture
• Heirloom plant
• Food sovereignty