Global Cuisine Indian and Japanese

Indian and Japanese

Program Support Notes by: Nicole Bath B.Ed. © Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2012

Produced by: VEA Pty Ltd Reproducing these support notes You may download and print one copy of these Commissioning Editor: support notes from our website for your reference. Sandra Frerichs B.Ed, M.Ed. Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968 . Executive Producers: Sandra Frerichs B.Ed, M.Ed. Edwina Baden-Powell B.A. CVP.

VIDEO EDUCATION AMERICA 1-866-727-0840 Preview programs online www.VEAvideo.com Global Cuisine Indian and Japanese

For Teachers

Introduction

Every country has a unique food culture. The way in which the food is prepared, served and eaten can provide an insight into, and a better understanding of the culture. This program investigates Indian and Japanese food cultures and their relevant food habits. Aspects covered include the food’s history, ways it is prepared, served and eaten as well as the overall health benefits of the food. The program includes interviews with Lakshimi Belekrishnan (writer) and Akiko Mahara (Japanese teacher) which provide an insight into the cuisines and their influences.

Timeline

00:00:00 The essence of Indian Cuisine 00:09:51 The essence of Japanese cuisine 00:19:03 Credits 00:19:52 End program

Related Titles

Global Food Equity Food Planning for Special Occasions No Accounting for Taste – Why We Eat What We Eat

Recommended Resources http://www.indianfoodforever.com/ http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-food/index.html http://asiarecipe.com/japeathistory.html http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/food/japanese_cuisine.html

2 © Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2011 Reproducing these support notes You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968 .

Global Cuisine Indian and Japanese

Student Worksheet

Initiate Prior Learning

1. List three Indian dishes and three Japanese dishes that you have either eaten or heard about.

______

2. Other than taste, why do you think that spice is so important in the cooking of Indian food?

______

3. Brainstorm at least 5 reasons why there is an increase in the number of restaurants from various cultures.

4. In small groups, discuss the following scenario: If you were to visit a Japanese restaurant, how would you ensure that you did not offend the cultural expectations of the restaurant?

5. When eating a certain type of food for the first time, how can you ensure that you will like the dish that you have chosen? What sort of questions would you need to ask your waiter?

______

3 © Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2011 Reproducing these support notes You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968 .

Global Cuisine Indian and Japanese

Active Viewing Guide

Indian Cuisine

1. What famous quote do most Indians grow up with?

______

2. Explain why diverse ranges of food and the way it is eaten exist throughout India.

______

3. What is the belief of Ayurveda (Indian Traditional medicine) with relation to food?

______

4. Explain why the consumption of salt is important in India.

______

5. Which two religions have had the maximum influence on Indian food?

______

6. What are the three typical items given as offerings to God in most Hindu rituals or festivals?

______

4 © Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2011 Reproducing these support notes You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968 .

Global Cuisine Indian and Japanese

7. What factors, which are seen throughout the world, are contributing to Indians (and other cultures) moving towards more processed food?

______

Japanese Cuisine

1. Explain the reason why Japanese food does not include a lot of sauce or spice.

______

2. What is the significance of rice being called ‘gohan’?

______

3. Rice is used for main meals and what other two things?

______

4. Give an example of how Japanese food combines food from other countries.

______

5. Since the Second World War, what influence has Western food had on Japanese food?

______

6. Describe what is meant by the term ‘Fusion Japanese’.

______

______5 © Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2011 Reproducing these support notes You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968 .

Global Cuisine Indian and Japanese

Extension Activities

1. The coming of the Mughals completely changed the way food was consumed in the northern part of India. Investigate what changes took place.

2. In small groups, analyse the religious beliefs of either Hinduism or Islam. Present your findings in a PowerPoint or handout.

4. Create a PMI table (plus, minus, interesting) investigating the Indian culture of eating by hand.

5. In groups, explore the ways in which location within the country of Japan influences food (north, south, east, and west). Investigate both the factors that influence food choices and a description of the foods used.

6. Justify reasons why the Japanese culture has all courses served at the one time (rice, soup, three meals).

7. The seasonal festivals of Japan are very significant to the culture. Investigate these festivals and present the information to the class. (PowerPoint, handout, oral presentation).

6 © Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2011 Reproducing these support notes You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968 .

Global Cuisine Indian and Japanese

Suggested Student Responses

Initiate Prior Learning

1. List three Indian dishes and three Japanese dishes that you have either eaten or heard about. Answers will vary – but will likely include curry (for India) and Sushi (for Japanese).

2. Other than taste, why do you think that spice is so important in the cooking of Indian food? Due to climatic conditions (hot and humid) people sweat a lot. Salt is important because the body will lose a lot of salt so it is added to the food. Spices also help the body to sweat.

3. Brainstorm at least 5 reasons why there is an increase in the number of restaurants from various cultures. Answers will vary but may include: immigration, a way of life being turned into a business, acceptance of different cultures, desire to try something different, desire to taste the food from different parts of the world (eg tasted on a holiday).

4. In small groups, discuss the following scenario: If you were to visit a Japanese restaurant, how would you ensure that you did not offend the cultural expectations of the restaurant? Answers will vary, but may include: reading/investigating the culture, observing other customers, asking questions of the waiter.

5. When eating a certain type of food for the first time, how can you ensure that you will like the dish that you have chosen? What sort of questions would you need to ask your waiter? Answers will vary but may include: The spice of the food – mild to hot, spices that are used, flavor comparison, what dishes are recommended for customers who have never had the cuisine before.

7 © Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2011 Reproducing these support notes You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968 .

Global Cuisine Indian and Japanese

Active Viewing Guide

Indian Cuisine

1. What famous quote do most Indians grow up with? You are what you eat.

2. Explain why diverse ranges of food and the way it is eaten exist throughout India. Answers will vary but may include: availability of food and the cultures/traditions that have been passed on for food preparation and eating.

3. What is the belief of Ayurveda (Indian Traditional medicine) with relation to food? A belief that each and every spice that is added to food has a specific medicinal value.

4. Explain why the consumption of salt is important in India. Because of the hot and humid climate, people sweat a lot. Salt is lost through this process. Salt is added to the food to replace it in the body.

5. Which two religions have had the maximum influence on Indian food? Hinduism and Islam

6. What are the 3 typical items given as offerings to God in most Hindu rituals or festivals? Fruits, flowers and sweet or savoury foods.

7. What factors, which are seen throughout the world, are contributing to Indians (and other cultures) moving towards more processed food? Answers may vary but could include: women returning to work, lack of time, availability of convenience/processed food.

Japanese Cuisine

1. Explain the reason why Japanese food does not include a lot of sauce or spice. They try to enjoy the original natural flavor and taste of the ingredients.

2. What is the significance of rice being called ‘gohan’? Gohan means meal – so ‘meal’ is basically rice, which forms a staple part of Japanese meals.

3. Rice is used for main meals and what other two things? Dessert (Japanese sweets) and sake (alcohol).

4. Give an example of how Japanese food combines food from other countries. Japanese people combine their food with Italian food eg. They use sashimi with a little bit of Italian tomato sauce.

5. Since the Second World War, what influence has Western food had on Japanese food? Since the Second World War, there has been an influence from Western cultures, seeing Japanese people consume foods such as more meat and dairy products (cheese, yogurt).

6. Describe what is meant by the term ‘Fusion Japanese’. Fusion is a mix of Western food with Japanese food, creating unique new dishes.

8 © Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2011 Reproducing these support notes You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968 .

Global Cuisine Indian and Japanese

Extension Activities

1. The coming of the Mughals completely changed the way food was consumed in the northern part of India. Investigate what changes took place. Answers will vary, but may include aspects such as: Mughals merged Middle Eastern cooking with the spices and ingredients of India to create a cuisine that had a unique fragrance and used lots of milk, cream, dried fruit, nuts, gravies, pilaffs etc.

2. In small groups, analyse the religious beliefs of either Hinduism or Islam. Present your findings in a PowerPoint or handout. Answers will vary, but may include aspects such as the following: (taken from www.thefreedictionary.com ) Hinduism: A diverse body of religion, philosophy, and cultural practice native to and predominant in India, characterized by a belief in reincarnation and a supreme being of many forms and natures, by the view that opposing theories are aspects of one eternal truth, and by a desire for liberation from earthly evils. Islam: A monotheistic religion characterized by the acceptance of the doctrine of submission to God and to Muhammad as the chief and last prophet of God.

3. Indian families typically have vegetarian food regularly. Investigate a typical daily menu for an Indian family. Discuss the way in which nutritional requirements can be met (eg. Protein). Suggest modifications that could be made if necessary. Answers will vary, but may include aspects such as the inclusion of vegetarian sources of protein. Students may also suggest the use of supplements, but this would not be sustainable for the country as a whole.

4. Complete a PMI table (plus, minus, interesting) investigating the Indian culture of eating by hand. Answers will vary, but may include aspects such as: ease of eating difficult items, easy for children and the elderly, concern regarding the spread of germs.

5. Divide the class into groups. Explore the ways in which location within the country of Japan influences food (north, south, east, and west). Investigate both the factors that influence food choices and a description of the foods used. Answers will vary, but should include aspects covered in the program: North Japan- eg. Beef tongue dish, seafood, also hot pot dish South Japan – meat, limited seafood East Japan – stronger, saltier taste West Japan – lighter tastes, famous for okonomiyaki (pancake)

6. Justify reasons why the Japanese culture has all courses served at the one time (rice, soup, three meals). Answers will vary, but may include: being able to share, everyone eating at one time so no one is left in the kitchen, spending time as a family.

7. The seasonal festivals of Japan are very significant to the culture. Investigate these festivals and present the information to the class. (PowerPoint, handout, oral presentation). Eg, New year, end of New Year, Spring (March) - Cherry Blossom, May – celebration for children, Autumn (September) – moon festival

9 © Video Education Australasia Pty Ltd 2011 Reproducing these support notes You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968 .