Comparative Analysis: Germany and Lebanon Food Culture

This report provides a comparative analysis of the food cultures of Germany and Lebanon. It begins by describing the historical and cultural influences on Lebanese cuisine, highlighting the impact of Phoenician, Roman, Ottoman, and French cultures. The report then contrasts the three main meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, in both countries. It notes the importance of bread, fruits, vegetables, and rice in Lebanon, and the consumption of meat, potatoes, and vegetables in Germany. The report also discusses differences in wedding traditions, such as the single-course meal in Lebanon versus multiple courses in Germany, and the use of hands versus utensils. The reflections section highlights that Lebanese people prefer fresh food, while the report attributes these differences to historical influences and the industrialized nature of Germany. The report concludes with a bibliography of sources used.

COMPARISON: GERMANY VS. LEBANON 1
Comparison: Germany vs. Lebanon

COMPARISON: GERMANY VS. LEBANON 2
Comparison: Germany vs. Lebanon
Description
The cultural history of Lebanon has helped make food the most popular of Middle
Eastern cuisine. The era of Phoenician and Roman rule have influenced many dishes in Lebanese
cuisine. The cuisine was influenced by various foreign civilizations, which have ever held power
over Lebanon. For example, the Ottoman Turks introduced fresh, bread, also olive oil, Laban
(homemade yogurt) and nuts while the France presented Lebanon with caramel, vanilla pudding
dessert and tart.
Comparison
The most important meal in Lebanon is breakfast, lunch and dinner. In their meal, bread
is the main Lebanese food but fruits, vegetables and rice are also served. In contrast, in Germany
although the three meals are most important, yet snacks and refreshment are taken between the
meals. Breakfast in Germany starts with a hot drink such as tea, coffee, or cocoa. One
commonality between German and Lebanon cuisine is the use of bread in their meal. The
Lebanese eat less meat unlike Germans. The most common food eaten in Germany are rice,
potatoes, vegetables, chicken, and meat. Secondly, the food culture in Lebanon is different to
that of Germany as in the Lebanese weddings they only serve one course of food unlike
Germans. Third, people in Lebanon can eat with their hands, but in Germany, people use forks
and knives to eat their food.
Reflections
What surprised me most?

COMPARISON: GERMANY VS. LEBANON 3
The Lebanese are more selective when it comes to food. They do not eat any leftovers.
Rather, you prefer fresh food.
Why do these differences exist?
France and the other Asian countries had a significant impact on Lebanese food. The
French have unique kitchens that emphasize healthy eating, while most Asian cultures prefer
fresh vegetables, spices and fruits in their food. On the contrary, Germany is an industrialized
country where most people do not have the time to prepare traditional meals.
Contrasting food culture of Germany and Lebanon
When in Lebanon, a German will be surprised by the choice of food served in a meal,
while Germans are used to eating a simple breakfast, the Lebanese eat grains, fruits, bread and
other foods for breakfast.

COMPARISON: GERMANY VS. LEBANON 4
Bibliography
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customs, family, social. [Online] Available at:
https://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Lebanon.html [Accessed 27 Dec. 2018].
Foodbycountry.com. (2018). Food in Lebanon - Lebanese Food, Lebanese Cuisine - traditional,
popular, dishes, diet, history, common, meals, staple, rice. [Online] Available at:
http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Lebanon.html [Accessed 27
Dec. 2018].
Germanfoods.org. (2018). German Wedding Foods - Germanfoods.org. [Online] Available at:
https://germanfoods.org/german-food-facts/german-wedding-foods/ [Accessed 27 Dec.
2018].
Germanfoods.org. (2018). Meals and Manners, Eating Habits in Germany - Germanfoods.org.
[Online] Available at: https://germanfoods.org/german-food-facts/german-meals-and-
manners/ [Accessed 27 Dec. 2018].
Traditionscustoms.com. (2018). Lebanese traditions | TraditionsCustoms.com. [Online]
Available at: http://traditionscustoms.com/people/lebanese-traditions [Accessed 27 Dec.
2018].