Andy Montoya
While cheese is present in nearly every cuisine worldwide, it is notably absent from East Asian food. This absence is surprising, given the prevalence of cheese in Western diets, and the growing appetite for cheese in China, where cheese imports are rising. So, do Asians like cheese? The answer is complex and influenced by a range of factors, including historical, cultural, and biological factors, which will be explored further.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for lack of cheese in Asian cuisine | High prevalence of lactose intolerance among East Asians |
| Lack of exposure to cheese historically | |
| Negative connotation with cheese | |
| Soy as an alternative source of protein | |
| Exceptions | Mongolia, India, Korea |
| Current trends | Growing appetite for cheese in China |
| Increased consumption of dairy products in China |
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What You'll Learn
Lactose intolerance is common among East Asians
It is true that lactose intolerance is common among East Asians. In fact, East Asians are drastically more likely to be lactose intolerant than Westerners. This is due to a lack of exposure to cheese and other dairy products.
Lactose intolerance is a condition where the digestive system cannot metabolize lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. The human body typically stops producing the lactase enzyme required to digest lactose after weaning from breast milk. However, in regions where dairy products are commonly consumed, such as Europe, adults have developed a greater resilience to lactose over time.
In East Asia, cheese consumption was historically limited to nomadic tribes living on the fringes of society. Eating cheese was associated with an unsavory lifestyle, and this perception stuck until recently when Western cuisine started to influence Asian cultures. As a result, cheese never became a staple food in East Asia, and the population did not develop the same level of lactose tolerance as those in dairy-rich regions.
It is worth noting that lactose intolerance does not always mean a complete avoidance of dairy. Some individuals with lactose intolerance can tolerate small amounts of lactose or manage their intake to minimize symptoms, which can include nausea, cramps, bloating, gas, and diarrhoea.
Studies have found a high prevalence of lactase deficiency among various Asian populations, including those in Malaysia, Singapore, and Canada. For example, one study of a multiethnic Malaysian population showed that 87.1% were lactase deficient, while only about 20% exhibited symptoms of lactose intolerance. Similarly, among Singapore and Canadian Chinese, a high prevalence of lactase deficiency (98% and 99%, respectively) was observed, but only a minority experienced lactose intolerance symptoms (32% and 23%, respectively).
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Lack of dairy in the traditional Asian diet
The absence of dairy in traditional Asian diets can be attributed to a combination of factors, including historical, cultural, and biological influences. Firstly, it is important to acknowledge the role of geography and climate. The conditions in many Asian regions were not always conducive to dairy farming, resulting in a lack of dairy-producing animals and, consequently, a limited supply of milk. This scarcity of milk made it challenging for ancient Asian populations to incorporate dairy into their daily diets.
Secondly, the historical association between cheese consumption and nomadic tribes in some Asian societies, such as China, is worth noting. In the past, eating cheese was linked to certain fringe groups that were often viewed as outsiders or barbarians. This perception persisted for a long time and contributed to the avoidance of cheese as a food item in mainstream Asian cultures. However, with the increasing influence of Western cuisine, these stereotypes are gradually being challenged, and cheese is slowly making its way into the culinary habits of some Asian countries.
Additionally, the prevalence of lactose intolerance among people of Asian ancestry is a significant factor. The ability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk, is determined by the presence of the lactase enzyme in the body. However, many East Asians are lactose intolerant due to a lack of exposure to dairy products throughout their history. As a result, the lactase enzyme is not as prevalent in their digestive systems, making it difficult for them to process dairy products comfortably.
Lastly, Asian cuisines have traditionally relied on alternative sources of protein, such as soy, to meet their nutritional needs. Soy has been a staple in East Asian diets and has provided a sufficient source of protein without the need for dairy. This, coupled with the historical and biological factors mentioned earlier, has contributed to the lack of dairy consumption in traditional Asian diets.
However, it is worth noting that the dairy industry is making inroads into Asian markets. For example, New Zealand dairy companies have had significant success exporting dairy products to China, indicating a growing appetite for cheese and other dairy items in the region.
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Cheese is considered a foreign novelty in Asia
Cheese is not a traditional part of East Asian cuisine, and it is still considered a foreign novelty in the region. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, East Asian cultures have historically lacked dairy in their diet due to factors such as climate, which has resulted in a high prevalence of lactose intolerance among people of East Asian ancestry. As a result, there was no evolutionary pressure for lactase persistence in East Asian populations, and the gene responsible for lactose tolerance did not spread as it did in Europe, where dairy was a significant source of nutrition.
Secondly, in Chinese culture, cheese consumption was traditionally limited to nomadic tribes living on the fringes of society, who were often viewed as outsiders or barbarians. This association stuck with cheese for a long time, dissuading many East Asians from adopting it as a food staple. However, with the increasing influence of Western cuisine in Asia, cheese is becoming more prevalent in the region.
While cheese is not a traditional component of the East Asian diet, it is important to note that there are exceptions. For example, Mongolian cuisine incorporates cheese, and Korean cuisine sometimes includes cheese as well. Additionally, with the growing influence of Western culinary practices, cheese is becoming more common in Asia, particularly in the form of highly processed American-style cheese or pungent varieties that appeal to local tastes.
The lack of a dairy-based diet in East Asia has also been attributed to the availability of alternative sources of protein, such as soy, which has been a traditional and accessible component of the region's cuisine. However, as Western culinary influences continue to spread, it remains to be seen whether cheese will become more widely accepted and incorporated into local tastes and cultures in East Asia.
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Consumption of cheese was associated with an unsavoury lifestyle in China
In China, the consumption of cheese has not been a traditional part of the local diet. This is mainly because, historically, cheese consumption was limited to nomadic tribes living on the fringes of society. These tribes were generally viewed as outsiders or barbarians, and hence, eating cheese was associated with an unsavoury lifestyle. This stereotype stuck with cheese for a long time, even when Western cuisine started to become popular in mainstream Asian culture.
There are several other reasons why cheese is not a staple food in China. Firstly, many East Asians are lactose intolerant, and this is because they have had little exposure to cheese throughout their history. This is in contrast to Westerners, who have lost their lactose intolerance due to centuries of consuming cheese and dairy products. Secondly, in the past, cows were used as tools for work in China, and villages often had very few animal resources. This lack of dairy-producing animals may be another reason why cheese never became popular in China.
In recent years, influenced by Western lifestyles, Chinese parents have started to feed milk to their children, and their purchasing power has contributed to soaring worldwide milk prices. However, cheese is still generally considered beyond the pale in China. While a few sophisticated Shanghainese might eat Stilton, many people, especially in the provinces, have never tasted it.
Despite the lack of cheese in traditional Chinese cuisine, some Western culinary influences have introduced cheese to Chinese culture. Pizza Hut opened its first store in China in 1990, and several pizza restaurant chains now exist in the country. Additionally, some Chinese people enjoy highly processed cheeses from American fast-food chains. However, the kind of cheese that appeals to Chinese tastes tends to differ from what is typically found on an American cheese plate. Instead, the Chinese seem to prefer very pungent cheeses or highly processed varieties.
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Western culinary influences are introducing cheese to Asian cultures
While cheese is a common part of many global cuisines, it has traditionally been absent from Asian food. This is due to a variety of factors, including the fact that many East Asians are lactose intolerant, and that cheese has historically carried negative connotations in some Asian societies. For example, in China, cheese consumption was once limited to nomadic tribes living on the fringes of society, and eating cheese was associated with an unsavoury lifestyle.
However, this is starting to change as Western culinary influences are introducing cheese to Asian cultures. This influence has led to a growing appetite for cheese in Asia, particularly in countries like China, where dairy imports are on the rise. In 2019, it was reported that Kiwi companies sold $4 billion worth of dairy products in China, with 11% of China's total dairy consumption produced by the New Zealand company Fonterra alone. This trend is also evident in other Asian countries, such as South Korea, where cheese is becoming an increasingly common ingredient in local cuisine.
The introduction of cheese to Asian cultures can be attributed to the increasing globalisation of food cultures and the influence of Western fast-food chains. In addition, the perception that dairy foods promote faster growth and taller heights in children may also be a factor in the growing consumption of cheese and other dairy products in Asia.
While the traditional absence of cheese in Asian cuisine may be due in part to lactose intolerance, it is important to note that this is not the only reason. Historical and cultural factors, such as the availability of alternative protein sources like soy, and the negative connotations associated with cheese consumption in some Asian societies, have also played a significant role.
As Western culinary influences continue to introduce cheese to Asian cultures, it will be interesting to see how this ingredient is incorporated into local cuisines and how it may shape the future of Asian food.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no universal answer to this question as preferences vary among individuals and cultures. However, cheese is not a traditional component of East Asian diets, and it is rarely included in East Asian cuisines.
There are several reasons why cheese is not commonly incorporated into East Asian cuisines. One factor could be the historical lack of dairy in the diet due to climate and geography, resulting in a lower selection for lactase persistence in East Asian ancestors. Additionally, the high prevalence of lactose intolerance among East Asians may also contribute to the limited use of cheese in the region's cuisine.
No, while cheese is not a prominent feature in East Asian cuisines, it is important to note that there are variations within Asia. For example, Mongolian cuisine incorporates cheese, and Indian cuisine also uses cheese but in a different way.
Yes, Western culinary influences have introduced cheese to East Asian cultures, and it is gaining popularity. Dairy companies from New Zealand and other countries are exporting significant amounts of dairy products, including cheese, to China. However, the consumption of cheese in China is still relatively low compared to other countries.
While cheese may not be a traditional component of many Asian cuisines, some countries in Asia are developing a growing interest in cheese. For example, in recent years, China has been reported to have a "growing appetite for cheese." This trend is influenced by the perception that dairy foods promote faster growth and taller heights in children, which is desirable to many parents.
