Fusion cuisine

Fusion cuisine is a culinary concept that combines elements of different culinary traditions. Cuisines of this type are not categorized according to any one particular cuisine style and have played a part in innovations of many contemporary restaurant cuisines since the 1970s.

Origins

The concept of fusion cuisine is one that is frequently associated with the culinary innovations of the 21st century, but in reality, the blending of cuisines has occurred throughout history. Whenever different cultures have interacted, the exchange of food and recipes has been a natural byproduct.

Types of Fusion Cuisine

Fusion cuisine can take many forms. It can be as simple as incorporating a foreign ingredient into a traditional dish, or as complex as combining the techniques and ingredients of two or more cuisines to create an entirely new dish. Some popular types of fusion cuisine include Tex-Mex, California cuisine, and Pacific Rim cuisine.

Tex-Mex

Tex-Mex is a fusion of Mexican and American cuisines, deriving from the culinary creations of the Tejano people living in Texas. It has spread from border states such as Texas and others in the Southwestern United States to the rest of the country as well as Canada.

California Cuisine

California cuisine is a food movement that originated in California. The cuisine focuses on dishes that are driven by local and sustainable ingredients with an attention to seasonality and an emphasis on the bounty of the region.

Pacific Rim Cuisine

Pacific Rim cuisine is a fusion cuisine combining the different cuisines of the various island nations. In addition, many Pacific Rim fusion dishes combine regional and continental cuisines from Asia and the Americas, particularly Hawaii, California, and Japan.

Criticism

While fusion cuisine has been popularized in the 21st century, it has also faced criticism. Some critics argue that fusion cuisine can dilute or misrepresent the cuisines it attempts to blend, while others believe that it is an exciting and innovative culinary trend.

See Also

• Cuisine
• Gourmet Library and museum
• List of cuisines
• Multiculturalism