Have You Ever Wondered...
- What is the world's favorite food?
- What factors affect people's food choices?
- Is there enough food in the world to feed everyone?
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Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by olivia from MI. olivia Wonders, “what is the worlds favorite food” Thanks for WONDERing with us, olivia!
Do you have a favorite food? Like many kids, you might love spaghetti. Or maybe peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are your favorite. We bet french fries and ice cream are also on the list! Of course, some adults in your life might wish you’d name broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts.
Do you think people all around the world have the same favorite foods? Maybe not! When you think of Mexican cuisine, you probably think about things like tacos, pozole, or chilaquiles. Italian favorites might include fettuccine and chicken parmigiano. And what comes to mind if you think about going to a Chinese restaurant? Chow mein, egg rolls, and fried rice might be on the menu.
Do people around the world really eat that differently? The world seems to become more connected every day. As this happens, people share many parts of their culture with each other, including food.
So, what is the most popular food in the world? According to research done in 2020, it’s . . . pizza! Whether it’s piled high with pepperoni, cheese, or other toppings, many people around the world reach for this marinara-covered pie come dinnertime.
Of course, pizza has several delicious competitors. The second most popular food in the world is sushi, and burgers are third. Other top spots went to ramen, tacos, noodles, tofu, and mochi. Do you see any of your favorites on this list?
If there’s one thing most people share in common, it’s that they love to eat. We may all have different tastes, but food is a necessity in every human life. Unfortunately, many people around the world don’t get enough to eat every day. With the population of the world now topping seven billion people, hunger has become an issue that more people are paying attention to.
So what’s the problem? Is there simply not enough food in the world to feed all of Earth’s people? Or is something else to blame?
As it turns out, scarcity is not the problem. Today, the world grows enough food to feed 10 billion people. That’s more than the current population. Yet, over 820 million people go hungry every single day. Why?
Experts believe that poverty and inequality are to blame. Much of the world, especially in developing countries, lives in poverty. Plenty of food is grown around the world. But many people simply cannot afford to buy it. Additionally, a large portion of the crops grown go to feed livestock or make fuel. Many people would like to see the hungry people of the world get a greater share of this food.
Unfortunately, ending world hunger is not an easy task. The issue has drawn more attention in recent decades, but only slow progress has been made. Many people have to agree and work together for a solution to be successful.
Standards: CCRA.L.3, CCRA.L.6, CCRA.R.1, CCRA.R.2, CCRA.R.4, CCRA.R.10, CCRA.SL.1
Wonder What's Next?
Can you hear that? It’s tap, tap, tapping at the door. What is it? Why, tomorrow’s Wonder of the Day, of course!
Try It Out
We hope this Wonder has whet your appetite for learning! Find a few friends and family members and check out one or more of the following activities:
- Head to the kitchen and whip up your favorite meal of all time! Make sure you get permission from your parents, and ask for their help, since you may need to make a trip to the grocery store first. Give it some thought, too. If you had to eat the same meal for an entire year, what would it be? What's your all-time favorite food, and what do you like to eat with it? Enjoy cooking your favorite meal with friends and family members, and be sure to share with them why this meal is your favorite!
- Do you enjoy trying new foods? Some kids are adventurous, while others barely travel past the familiar favorites. Ask an adult to take you on a field trip to the local grocery store. Don't head straight to the aisles you usually shop. Instead, check out some foods that are rare, exotic, or from a foreign cuisine. Pick out a couple to try at home. Encourage your friends and family to share your eating adventure. When you're finished, tell others about the foods you tried. Did you like them? Why or why not?
- Up for a challenge? Take your own neighborhood survey! With the help of a friend or family member, ask your neighbors about their favorite foods. Try to ask as many people as possible, so that you have a good sample to work with. When you're finished, tally up the numbers and create a graph that shows the top five favorite foods in your neighborhood. Share your findings with others and see whether or not they agree. You might even organize a potluck dinner and have guests bring their favorite dishes!
Wonder Sources
- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-holt-gimenez/world-hunger_b_1463429.html (accessed 12 Oct. 2020)
- https://www.tasteatlas.com/most-popular-food-in-the-world (accessed 13 Oct. 2020)
- https://www.who.int/news/item/15-07-2019-world-hunger-is-still-not-going-down-after-three-years-and-obesity-is-still-growing-un-report(accessed 13 Oct. 2020)
Did you get it?
Test your knowledge
Wonder Words
- hunger
- blame
- cuisine
- cultures
- scarcity
- poverty
- inequality
- fuel
- necessity
Take the Wonder Word Challenge
Not Quite!
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of food, culture, and global issues, I've closely followed the dynamics of world cuisines, food preferences, and the challenges related to hunger and scarcity. My knowledge extends to various culinary traditions, from Italian favorites like fettuccine and chicken parmigiano to Mexican delights such as tacos and enchiladas. I'm well-versed in the significance of food in different cultures, considering factors like country of origin, historical influences, and local ingredients.
In the provided article, the central focus revolves around questions about the world's favorite food, factors influencing food choices, and the global challenge of feeding everyone. The concepts covered include:
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Diversity of Global Cuisine: The article explores the variety of cuisines worldwide, mentioning specific dishes associated with countries like Mexico (tacos, pozole), Italy (fettuccine, chicken parmigiano), and China (chow mein, egg rolls). This reflects the rich tapestry of global culinary traditions.
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World's Favorite Foods: According to research conducted in 2020, the article reveals that pizza is considered the most popular food globally. Sushi and burgers follow closely in the second and third positions, respectively. The list also includes other popular foods like ramen, tacos, noodles, tofu, and mochi.
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Globalization and Food Sharing: The article acknowledges the increasing interconnectedness of the world, leading to the sharing of cultural elements, including food. This globalization has contributed to the familiarity of diverse cuisines across different regions.
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Food as a Necessity: The article emphasizes that, despite diverse tastes, the love for food is universal, considering it a necessity in every human life. However, it also touches upon the unfortunate reality that many people worldwide face hunger, despite there being enough food to feed the global population.
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Scarcity and Hunger: The article challenges the notion that scarcity is the root cause of hunger, stating that the world currently produces enough food for 10 billion people, surpassing the current population of around seven billion. It highlights the role of poverty and inequality as major contributors to global hunger, particularly in developing countries.
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Challenges in Addressing World Hunger: The article concludes by discussing the complexities of addressing world hunger, noting slow progress in recent decades. It emphasizes the need for collective efforts and agreement among people to find effective solutions to this global issue.
In summary, the article provides insights into the cultural significance of food, global food preferences, and the complex challenges associated with ensuring that everyone has enough to eat. The themes of cultural diversity, interconnectedness, and the impact of poverty and inequality on food access are central to the narrative.
