Info about Gourmet Food
Gourmet Food in America
Gourmet food is widely available all over America and the rest of the world. The term itself is typically synonymous with sophistication, refined or discriminating taste, and a luxurious way of life. However, it is now available almost everywhere.
It should come to no one's surprise that the original concept of gourmet food was first documented in the "country of love", France. It all started with the word "taste-yin", a tern which was used for someone who was considered to be a "connoisseur of delicious things". As it says in the "Dictionnarie de Trevous", a good gourmet food must have "le gout friand", which can be roughly translated as a refined palate.
This was the beginning of a new mind set - that eating could be considered an enjoyable experience, rather than simple nourishment which we must have in order to survive. Because of this, people who subscribed to this new thought process were labeled as gluttons because of their excessive fondness for good foods. They were reminded that gluttony is one of the "seven deadly sins", and were compared to the Spartans, who were notoriously stern, disciplined and rigorously simple in their lifestyle.
The term "gourmet food" was finally rendered respectable in Paris, 1803. This came about with one of the first restaurant guides, "Almanach des Gourmands". It was written by Monsieur Grimod de la Reyniere.
Since then, gourmet food has acquired an enormous following. In our current world of celebrity chefs on television, there is a Food Network which is devoted to nothing but foods. There are also magazines, columns in newspapers, and even blogs devoted to gourmet food in which authors photograph every meal they consume for the world to see. Eating has become less of a necessity and more of a recreational hobby for some people.
In all probability, the huge rise in people who eat for recreation has contributed to the outrageous obesity rates in America today. During the past twenty years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. In 2008, Colorado was the only state that had an obesity rate of less than twenty percent. Six states had an obesity rate of greater than thirty percent. This tells us that while Americans certainly do love their foods, it is still very important that they either find a middle ground or update their exercise regimen in order to maintain their health and enjoy life to its full potential.
There are many healthy but delicious choices that can be made when choosing gourmet food. For example, sticking with entrees consisting of lean, skinless meats or chicken will successfully cut back on the amount of trans fat you are consuming. Fish is another excellent and healthy choice.
Of course, the ultimate healthy choice is to learn how to cook your own meals. While some people assume that exquisite gourmet food is only available in expensive restaurants, there is a rising trend of people who are taking matters into their own hands and learning how to cook the perfect healthy dishes in their own kitchen, much to the delight of their awaiting families.
With the help of a few good recipes, attention to detail, willing taste-test subjects and some good old-fashioned elbow grease, you too can amaze your friends by creating fabulous and delicious gourmet food at your next hosted dinner.