Food is one of the most universal subjects in all of human culture. Writing about it can take many forms: food reviews, blogs, long and short journalism (from profiles to investigative pieces), culinary mystery, the memoir, non-fiction, and food history/foodways with a full-on anthropological concentration. All of the same rules that apply to other types of writing—voice, style, description, detail and accuracy, grammar, punctuation and structure—also pertain to food writing.
Food provides the fuel that drives the human body. It has also served as a medium for transmitting cultural values, beliefs and ideas. In the past, people obtained their food by hunting and gathering, horticulture and pastoralism, but as technology improved, farming became the primary means of obtaining food.
Agriculture is a complex system that involves the planting, cultivation and harvesting of crops. Agricultural production depends on the availability of water and sunlight, as well as soil conditions. Agricultural technology enables farmers to grow food more efficiently and at higher levels of yield, which can improve the quality and variety of foods that are produced.
The most important food groups are cereal grains—such as wheat, rice and corn (maize), barley, sorghum, millet and oats—vegetables, fruits, meat, fish and eggs. A person’s diet should contain at least five servings from each group every day.
A person’s diet can vary greatly from one country to another, and even within a country, depending on climate and other environmental factors. For example, people living in cool regions with short growing seasons depend on plants that mature quickly, such as potatoes. In warm, wet lowlands where the soil retains water, people may prefer a heavier diet of rice.
Local traditions and customs also play a role in the foods that are eaten. In English tradition, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding are often eaten together; in Asia, people eat rice with most meals. Improvements in food processing, preservation and transportation now allow people to enjoy foods from far away places.
When describing food, try to use sensory language—describe the flavors and textures. This can create an experience for your readers that can be almost as satisfying as eating the actual food itself. A good way to enhance your food writing is to tell a story about it. This can make your readers feel as if they are actually in the kitchen with you, even if they never get to visit that specific place.