New Orleans cuisine is a fine fusion of German, French, Native American, Spanish, and African influences. The unique flavors and spices of each cuisine combine to offer the world something delectable and memorable. This cuisine is steeped in history that dates back to the 1800s. This article aims to take a deeper look at the evolutionary journey behind it.
Creole cuisine was founded by New Orleans inhabitants. It is a blend of rich sauces and spices. In present-day America, the term Creole is used to refer to charred meat and fish with spices and red sauces. But true Creole cuisine is way more. Unlike popular belief, Creole and Cajun are not the same. Creole has a more refined and urban palate. Cajun is more country and rural.
The prevalence of cocktails in New Orleans, or NOLA, as commonly referred to, is significant. Most food tours in New Orleans features a New Orleans drinking tour to highlight the rich history behind this prominence. It is believed that a section of the cocktail culture is owed to the British punches served across various places in the 1700s.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, cocktails became popular among the masses. However, the Temperance Movement resulted in the 18th Amendment and a prohibition in 1919. This ended after the Great Depression. Consequently, the rise in tourism after WWI and WWII led to an increase in tiki cocktails, and it was this that restarted the cocktail culture.
Louisiana, the state that houses New Orleans, was colonized by the French and then by the Spanish. This led to a significant influence on Creole cuisine. Later, Africans who were enslaved back then introduced their cooking techniques and unique flavors. The close proximity of NOLA, along with the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi River, made seafood a staple.
Some prominent outcomes of this period include redfish, shrimp, and fried oysters. The po’boy, a popular fried fish or roasted beef dish served on a French roll with a dressing of mayonnaise, lettuce, and tomato, is the perfect example of these influences. The Caribbean brought the red beans.
Some popular food items and the history behind them are:
The original Creole cuisine still remains despite modifications due to these influences and is something food fanatics across the world travel to taste.
New Orleans cuisine is truly a blend of different cultures. From the food to the cocktails, each item brings history. Going for a New Orleans food tour or a New Orleans drinking tour is the ideal way to get a taste of this delectable offering.
You can taste the dishes, sip the cocktails, and remember the culture that created them. This makes New Orleans a paradise for food enthusiasts, cocktail lovers, and history fans.
