A substance eaten to provide energy for an organism. Foods are usually of plant or animal origin and may contain essential nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. The absorption and utilization of food by an organism are facilitated by digestion. Food is a basic necessity for all living things. It is also an important cultural, economic, and social aspect of many cultures around the world.
The process of making food involves many processes that can alter the original state of the product, including washing, cleaning, milling, grinding, cutting, chopping, baking, heating, cooking, canning, freezing, drying, dehydrating and mixing. Food can be processed in order to improve its flavor, texture or nutritional value. Processed foods may also be enriched with added vitamins and minerals to help meet nutritional needs.
In addition to its role in human health and nutrition, the production of food has significant environmental impacts. It can consume large amounts of water and land, produce greenhouse gases, and generate waste. The global food supply is vulnerable to climate change, and changes in the weather can affect crop yields and the availability of certain foods.
Writing about food is a broad genre with many sub-categories, including restaurant reviews, culinary journalism, memoir and fiction that explores food, the kitchen and eating, non-fiction about food history or culture, and academic research papers. The same general rules of good writing—voice, style, detail and accuracy—apply to all forms of food writing.
Choosing the right subject is the key to success when writing about food. The topic should be something that you’re passionate about and know a lot about. This will come through in your article and make it more interesting to read. Aim for a balance between describing the food and its cultural or social significance, as well as providing information about how to prepare the food.
Food has been an integral part of human culture throughout history. People have used it to demonstrate wealth and status, celebrate special occasions or just as a daily pleasure. The Industrial Revolution brought about changes in the way food was produced and consumed, with the invention of new processing techniques and refrigeration allowing for larger scale production and preservation.
A good food article should appeal to the senses, including smell, sight and taste. Aim to use words that are descriptive and evocative, and avoid using words such as bizarre, strange or odd. These words have negative connotations and can diminish the reader’s experience of a dish. In addition, never describe a cuisine as being “new” or “undiscovered”; this has undertones of colonialism.