When you think of Mediterranean food, the cuisines of Italy and Greece are some of the first examples that come to mind. But is French Food considered Mediterranean? Keep reading to find out.
Is French Food Considered Mediterranean?
We all know what Mediterranean food is, or at least everyone has at least a vague idea. Most people are familiar with Mediterranean food through the term “Mediterranean diet.” This delicious trend claims to offer all types of health benefits by embracing the diet of Mediterranean countries, most notably Italy and Greece.
“Medierranean” means “from the Mediterranean sea.” In fact, with its booth-shaped silhouette, Italy reigns supreme on the Mediterranean, while some consider Greece to be the Mediterranean country par excellence.
Be it Greece, Spain, or Egypt, cuisine from the Mediterranean is based on three essential products: wheat, grapes, and olives.
Now, just like Spain, a part of France borders the Mediterranean sea. Is this enough to claim that French cuisine is Mediterranean?
The answer is yes and no. For example, traditional Parisian fare such as the entrecôte-frites is a category of its own and it doesn’t really fit the bill of Mediterranean cuisine.
It would be more accurate to say that the food from Southern France is Mediterranean. In fact, provençal cuisine (Provence is a region in Southeast France) has many traits in common with Italian cuisine. Some dishes and products typical from Provence include:
- Tapenade. A spread made from anchovies and black olives.
- Salade Niçoise. Salad with potatoes, tuna, hard-boiled eggs, and green beans.
- Bouillabaisse. A rich stew made from several types of fish.
- Ratatouille. A vegetable stew made with zucchini, tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers.
- Daube. Stew made with beef braised in wine.
With these facts in mind, a list of countries whose cuisine can be considered Mediterranean would include Spain, France (or more precisely, Southern France), Italy, Greece, Egypt, Turkey, Syria, Lybia, Israel, and Morocco.
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