[gardeners] Authenticity
asidv@fbg.net (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Fri, 24 Jul 1998 12:11:20 +0000
Whenever anyone speaks of "authentic" this or that, I am reminded
that none of us is an expert in all things. One may know how to
protect a rose from the snows of winter while another is an expert in
keeping sun scald from late tomatoes.
The recent discussions about East Indian (as opposed to Red Indian)
food are a case in point. Those whose experience has been limited to
US restaurant fare may find a "curry" or a Samosa totally delicious
while a more traveled or experienced diner would find the same fare
unacceptable in the extreme.
For example: as a Texan, I take the making, serving and eating of
chili as an art form. Once, for my sins, I was sentenced to a bowl of
Cincinnati chili -- I'm certain the Ohioans found it delectable; I
found it garbage in its purest form, but it would have been
discourteous of me to fault them for their provinciality.
While living in England, my good neighbor found my tea undrinkable
while I found his coffee dispicable. Instead of re-starting the War
of Independence we met under a white flag; he taught me to make tea,
I taught him to make coffee. A better solution, don't you agree?
If it is difficult to agree on something as simple as dissolving one
substance in hot water -- consider the difficulties of agreeing on
East Indian food. Of course it is true that Muslims (83% of the
population) are forbidden pork as are almost all high-caste Indians,
but I am sure there are those (usually the untouchables, I am told)
who would eat bacon if sufficiently hungry (just as our local deer
will even eat gray plants when there is little else to eat)..
At base, we must all keep open minds, be agreeable, and permit others
their culinary peculiarities; after all, they are usually based on
inexperience and that is to be pitied, not censured. On the other
hand, no one who IS inexperienced should claim expertise nor attempt
to instruct others in their own ignorance. To do so would not be in
keeping with the courtesy always shown by the members of
GlobalGarden. Pat