My food choice on the current topic is Peking duck, one of the most famous Chinese dishes consumed globally. While the recipe is relatively simple, the complexity of the dish is implied by its ingredients and cultural heritage. It originated in China in the 13th century and quickly became one of the iconic dishes in the national cuisine (Dunlop, 2021). The duck itself is the primary ingredient of the recipe, and breeders have been experimenting with various duck species to find the best taste and texture of meat (Dunlop, 2021). Historically, the local Beijing breed was primarily used in the recipe; however, today, there are several varieties of the ducks used in the dish globally and are not restricted to one particular region (Dunlop, 2021). Nevertheless, people follow strict guidelines to breed the ducks and prepare them for the cooking process (Dunlop, 2021). Thus, the complexity of the dish primarily lies in the ingredients, which are required to achieve the authentic taste of Peking duck.
Peking Duck Food System
Concerning sustainability, Peking duck is not the most optimal option since it is a highly popular meat dish that requires specialized breeding and might negatively affect the environment. Even excluding animal slaughter, the breeding and cooking processes might differ vastly in various cultural traditions (Dunlop, 2021). For instance, the Peking duck is frequently cooked in closed ovens on gas, which implies a high density of smoke in one place (Jingyi, 2020). Thus, if the restaurant does not provide effective smoke extractors and other sustainable alternatives, it might cause significant damage to the environment. Combined with the popularity of the dish and the abundance of specialized restaurants, the Peking duck is arguably an unsustainable food option. However, it is also true that the recipe has an immense cultural heritage and is significant to many traditions. Ultimately, the drawbacks outweigh the advantages of Peking duck in terms of sustainability.
Sustainable Alternatives
Peking duck has arguably no sustainable alternatives, precisely due to the vast cultural heritage of the recipe. Since it is a meat dish, it is possible to substitute the taste and micronutrients with sustainable options, such as soy meat, lupins, or beans (Cwienk, 2020). Ultimately, a large number of meat alternatives have demonstrated a high potential for sustainability (Cwienk, 2020). However, as mentioned before, the Peking duck has a rich history with unique ingredients and specialized breeding processes, which constitute the complete food system. Many people have spent their whole lives perfecting the recipe and serving the dish to the customers. As a result, the Peking duck is an iconic and unique dish with no alternatives that could substitute its cultural value.
Food Choice Factors
Similar to most people, the three primary factors that affect my food choices are convenience, taste, and price. After completing the assignment, I recognize that even some of the most iconic and unique dishes might have a large number of drawbacks in terms of sustainability. It specifically concerns the Peking duck due to its vast popularity and abundance of restaurants that use unsustainable cooking processes. Despite its cultural value, the drawbacks of the preparation are substantial, and I would prefer if some of the restaurants would adopt more sustainable solutions. Ultimately, I believe that convenience, taste, and price are still the three most important factors; however, after completing the assignment, I better understand the significance of sustainability in food.
References
Cwienk, J. (2020). 6 of the most sustainable meat alternatives.DW. Web.
Dunlop, F. (2021). Peking duck: The complex history of a Chinese classic.National Geographic. Web.
Jingyi, C. (2020). What’s the difference between Peking duck and Cantonese roast duck?Michelin Guide. Web.