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Food customs in Iran
Food customs around the world are strongly connected to culture, tradition, and geography. We can see this in my country, Iran. It has a variable climate, which gives us the advantage of having a large variety of foods to eat. However, what we eat is still influenced by our traditions and geography, as we can see in the similarities and differences between the north and south of Iran.
Many of the food customs are similar everywhere in the country. For Example, in both northern and southern Iran, Food is eaten with one’s hand and a piece of bread instead of using utensils. Rice is an important staple in Iran, and it is a part of almost every meal in both the north and the south. Another similarity between the north and south is eating fish, since both areas are near seas: the Caspian Sea in the north and the Persian Gulf in the south.
Because the north of Iran is quite different from the south, there are several differences in eating habits between the two areas. Northern Iran faces the Caspian Sea where we find the special fish from which the famous caviar is made, which northerners love to eat. Because of the Mediterranean climate in the north, rice is one of the major crops, and it plays an important role at the table in northern Iran. It is served at all ceremonies. As a tradition, northerners conduct a rice ceremony every year by putting rice twigs in the paddy and the white fish, make up the favorite dishes. Although rice is important and a part of most meals, the south is better known for its vegetables and fruits. Dates, in particular, are important and are a major export to Western countries.
In conclusion, Iran is a large country with a diverse geography and people. As in all large countries, a variety of customs can be found on all points of the compass. Food customs in particular are influenced by climate and location, making Iran a very interesting country in which to live and eat!