Why+is+food+important+to+that+culture?

[|Importance] [|Portuguese Cusine] [|new]

The people of Brazil place great importance on food and it holds a central place in their social life. Gatherings with friends or family is normally revolved around food. It could be in a restaurant or in a person's home but somehow there is mostly always food involved. Traditionally the most important meal of the day is a multi course meal eaten after midday but as Brazil urbanizes the family centered meal at midday is being replaced by lanches (comes from the English word lunch), which is a smaller meal normally consumed in restaurants like buffets or fast food places such as McDonalds. Food is also a historical mark in Brazil. In the 15th Century, Prince Henry the navigator, ordered his explorers to bring back any new and exotic fruits, nuts, and plants from their travels. This introduced Brazil to tomatoes, potatoes, chillis, coffee, cashew and Brazil nuts as well as an array of spices from the middle and far east. Brazil was introduced to spices such as cinnamon, star anise, turmeric, coriander and cardomom, which all have a place in Brazils modern cuisine