Cultural Heritage of American Food Habits and Implications for the Hospitality Industry

Abstract

SUMMARY This study has profiled the cultural heritage of American food habits. American food habits remained predominantly European until the middle of the 20th century, and became distinctly American by late 20th century. This study indicates that the relationship between the culture and the food habits is bi-directional. Analysis of changes in the family structure, and their impact on food habits in the Western civilization from the period of the Roman and Greek empires through the 20th century are included. Contrary to the earlier beliefs, food habits of individuals were found to be more permanent and stable than their socioeconomic, cultural, religious, educational, and ethnic preferences. American food habits of the 20th century are influenced by its cultural sub-groups. Food habits include not only food consumption habits but also the food procurement, production, preparation, and preservation practices. The food habits are often passed on from one generation to another like sacred texts and family ...