Food is any substance consumed by organisms to obtain the energy and nutrients they need to survive and grow. It is usually of plant or animal origin, and contains essential components such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. The process of food digestion transforms these substances into the energy and materials needed for organism growth and maintenance. Humans depend on other animals for a significant portion of their food, and have developed ways to domesticate and prepare wild plants, hunt and gather, and grow crops.
Food can be divided into categories according to their nutritional value and the method used for preparation. Vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and grains provide a variety of essential nutrients. These foods can be eaten raw or cooked and may be preserved by freezing, drying, salting, or canning. They are also often combined with meats and dairy products to make complete meals.
Staple foods include starchy vegetables such as potatoes and rice, which provide carbohydrates for energy. They also supply protein, micronutrients, and dietary fiber. Legumes and oilseeds supply fat. They are often eaten in combination with other foods, such as fish with a sauce made from a mixture of butter and flour to make a pâté or stew.
Many people live in areas where they cannot grow their own food, and rely on shops and markets for their supplies. They might buy ingredients for home cooking or ready-to-eat foods such as packaged bread or sliced tomatoes. Some foods can be stored for long periods, such as canned fruit or frozen vegetables. Others require refrigeration or freezing to preserve the freshness and flavor.
The way in which food is sourced can tell us something about the culture of an area. For example, a diet rich in olive oil and other Mediterranean foods might indicate a culture that values longevity and good health.
Eating habits can also reveal a lot about an individual. A person might have a favorite meal that says something about their personality, or the way they were raised or the place they live. Food can also be a vehicle for cultural expression, for example, a person might share their family recipe with another person, or the story of how they learned to cook a certain dish.
Writing about food is a common hobby for many people, and a form of literary art in its own right. It can be written in a number of styles, from journalistic to memoir to recipe book to travelogue. The best food writing evokes sensory experiences for the reader, such as taste, smell, texture, and sight.
When writing about food, it is important to avoid using excessive adjectives, which detract from the enjoyment of a meal. Try to describe a dish in terms of the flavors it combines and how the cook created them, rather than listing its ingredients or describing how it looked. Food writer Ruth Reichman recommends making a list of these words, and reading over the list after you’ve finished writing to see how many you’ve used.