Culinary Wonderland
Are you “food adventurous?”
This simple question came up yesterday in my dinner conversation with the lovely Marieta at Zaytoon, a casual Iranian restaurant we enjoy quite often that’s less than a mile from home.
Marieta was surprised when I ordered something completely different off the menu I’d never tried before, which was the second consecutive time I’ve done this at Zaytoon (yesterday’s dish was Ghormeh Sabzi, a herb-laden lamb stew over Basmati Rice). I’ve probably had 100 meals there over the years (mostly kabobs), and only recently start veering off the usual highly-predictable ordering path. I now taste what I’ve been missing.
We discussed food and taste and being open minded about new experiences. It’s a common belief that as we age, most of us become “set in our ways.” I presume this is even more so with personal decisions, like our food choices. However, as I’ve aged, I’ve become much more “food adventurous.” I’m now trying things I never would have considered in the past.
Up until my 30s, I was always a “meat and potatoes” person. Then, I was lucky enough to marry a European who happens to be a phenomenal and creative cook, and my food horizons expanded in that global direction. But I was still guarded in my biases. Then, a few years ago, I really started to go rogue on food decisions. Now at age 62, I find myself trying new dishes that would have turned my stomach in my youth. But I’m still drawing the line at sushi.
This change in attitude and evolution of desire makes no sense whatsoever. Usually, when we develop a lifetime habit, with strong opinions, we don’t change our ways. Especially with men and food! In fact, culinary adventurism isn’t consistent with biological realities. As we age, our sense of taste is said to diminish. Taste buds become fewer. Hence, we won’t appreciate the subtleties of taste quite as much when we’re older. But I find myself racing off in the opposite direction.
Marieta and her own food habits wasn’t a good comparison for me, nor did she add much to my search for enlightenment, because she’s always been extremely “food adventurous.” She doesn’t understand people who aren’t wiling to try new foods. I totally get that.
Hence, my question to many of you is — as you age do you find yourself becoming more insular about food, drink, and other pleasures of life? Or, as the seconds of time pass, do you look upon experiences as new opportunities?
A final note: One other point that came up in our conversation was that international cuisine has never been better no more widely available and convenient — than today. So, it’s incomparable with years ago. When I was a child, Chinese and Mexican food was considered exotic. There was no such thing as Thai or Indian or Middle Eastern food. Now, Thai places are everywhere. We see these cuisines with their own unique styles and characteristics, depending upon where you dine. America has become a food wonderland.
I’m looking forward to a discussion in the comments and hope to learn a few things. Please do share your thoughts on food, tastes, and aging.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION HERE ON FACEBOOK
