Some foods are used in religious communities or traditions to symbolise an aspect of the faith, or to commemorate a festival or hero of that faith group. Many such foods are also closely associated with a particular date or season. As with all religious traditions, some such foods have passed into widespread secular use, but all those on this list have a religious origin, according to experts from online pokies Australia for real money players.
Baklava
Did you ever wonder why sweet, delicious baklava has so many layers? The phyllo dough is technically supposed to consist of 33 layers, one for each year in the life of Jesus Christ. However, when and where the treat was invented is up for debate, and it may actually predate Christ by some millennia.
Dumplings
These little pockets of goodness may just be the world’s most perfect food, but did you know that they are shaped to resemble money? Dumplings look just like ancient forms of Chinese currency, like the tael and jau gok. That’s why those who follow the Taoist religious philosophy believe that eating one brings good fortune. Eating 20 brings a stomachache.
Pretzels
The starchy, perfectly dippable pretzel is supposed to remind one of a child kneeling in prayer. The popular snacks were actually invented by French monks around 610 A.D. Auntie Anne, meanwhile, was nowhere to be found.
Rendang
Every single ingredient of this popular curry dish carries with it religious and cultural significance. The meat symbolizes the leaders of the community. The creamy coconut milk stands for the teachers who make up Indonesian society. The particular spice mixture that accompanies the dish stands for society as a whole, and the heat, usually in the form of chile paste, represents the Muslim faith’s sharia law.
Noodles
There is a reason why noodles are kept long and not chopped up, particularly in China, and it’s not to honor that one awesome scene in Lady and the Tramp. The extreme length of your average noodle represents longevity. The longer the noodle, the longer the life, it is said. This is of particular import for those of the Taoist faith. Noodles are especially popular amongst users of online casinos us.
Pancakes
There is no denying that pancakes are awesome. This breakfast staple only exists, however, because ancient kitchens had to quickly get rid of their ingredients the day before Lent, a time of fasting. This led to experimentation and, voila, the humble pancake was born.
King Cake
That other Mardi Gras tradition, besides the beads, has a history that is deeply rooted in Christianity. The toy baby that hides in each cake actually represents the baby Jesus, even though nowadays it usually just means you have to buy next year’s cake.
Matzo
Sure, you may have some vague understanding that the cracker-like unleavened bread has something to do with Judaism, but the origins of this snack run even deeper than that. Matzo is unleavened on purpose, to remind eaters of Egyptian Jewry fleeing in haste, without time to even apply yeast to their bread. Also, in case you were wondering, matzo goes absolutely splendidly with bananas and peanut butter.
