Cultural Aspects Exam 1

what is culture

a groups shared way of life including customs, beliefs, traditions, and behavior

what is ethnicity

a groups identity based on shared ancestry, heritage, language, and traditions

what are folklore and fables

traditional stories passed down through generations that teach values, history, and morals

what is food as cultural identity

food traditions that connect people to their heritage and community

what is religion

a belief system that often includes rules, rituals, and traditions that influence daily life and food

what is the levant

a region in the eastern Mediterranean including Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, and Syria

what is food symbolism

when foods represent ideas or beliefs

where does the term “Levant” come from

the Italian word levante, meaning “rising”, referring to the sun rising in the east

what crops are important in Greece

wheat, corn, rice, grapes, olives, and citrus fruits

why are olives and grapes important in Greece

they support olive oil and wine production, key parts of the Mediterranean diet and economy

what livestock is common in Greece

sheep, which provide meat, wool, and milk for cheese

how does Greece’s geography affect agriculture

mountains limit large farms, so farming occurs mostly in valley and coastal plains

what climate does Greece have

Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters

why is irrigation important in the Middle East

rainfall is limited and water is scarce

why was the Middle East historically important for agriculture

it includes the Fertile Crescent where farming began

what types of crops grow near the Black Sea

corn, fruits, tobacco, nuts

what types of crops grow near the Aegean Sea

grapes, figs, olives, cotton

what crops grow near the Mediterranean Sea

citrus fruits, sesame, bananas, olives

key ingredients in Greek cuisine

olive oil, wheat, vegetables, seafood, herbs, and cheese

common Greek cooking methods

grilling, roasting, baking, and cooking with olive oil

examples of Greek foods

gyros, souvlaki, moussaka, spanakopita, and baklava

how does geography influence Greek diets

coastal areas eat more seafood, while mountainous areas rely more on meat and dairy

key ingredients in Middle Eastern cuisine

rice, lamb, chickpeas, yogurt, olive oil, herbs and spices

common spices in Middle Eastern cooking

cumin, coriander, saffron, and cinnamon

important Middle Eastern dishes

hummus, hababs, falafel, tabouli, kibbeh, and baba ghanouj

common cooking methods in Middle Eastern cuisine

grilling, roasting, baking bread, and slow cooking

what ingredients connect the cuisines of Greece, Turkey and the Levant

olive oil, eggplant, grains, sesame, herbs, spices

what is phyllo dough used for

thin layered dough used in pastries like baklava and spanakopita

what is bulgur used for

a cracked wheat grain used in dishes like tabouli and kibbeh

where is Azerbaijan located

in the Caucasus region between Eastern Europe and Western Asia

what is an important drink in Azerbaijan

tea

how is tea historically served

in small pear shaped glasses, often with sugar or sweets

what role does tea play in Azerbaijani culture

it represents hospitality and is commonly served during social gatherings