A Newfie Adventure

What comes to mind if I were to say Korea?
How about Italy?
Or France?
I'm not sure how anyone else would respond, but as a major foodie my mouth would automatically start watering at the though of kimchi, cannelloni and some of the world's sweetest wines.
You see, every culture, no matter how different, has one thing in common: Their own unique foods. Flavors and recipes that one would never find elsewhere. Meals eaten so religiously they become ingrained in daily life and culture. Go to any country in the world and the first thing you'll be bombarded with is the unique scent of their products.
For example, take my own home province of Newfoundland. I've met people from all across the world in my work, and almost all of them say that when they step off the plane, the smell of ocean salt hits them full force. I've been told that when they walk around small bay-side towns, they smell salt fish. What does this tell them? That our province is one of hard-working fishing families who enjoy plain, but filling meals - which, for the most part, is true. That is our culture; our heritage.
Any other place, I'm sure, is the same. Step off a plane in India. The spicy aromas of curry and cumin are in the air and automatically one thinks of smoky-eyed women in rich silks, men with a dignified air and golden skin, and of course the unmistakable taste of Indian food.
A culture can be defined by its food in multiple different ways - by what they eat, how they prepare it, even how they eat it. For example, in certain areas of the world one will never find beef on their plate - it's against their religion. In other areas, it's an insult to season a meal prepared for you. In yet other areas, leaving some of your meal on your plate and belching loudly is the highest compliment you can pay a chef.
Every culture has its own unique foods, preparations, and flavors. Every meal from every country will tell a different story; a story of their history, their religion, and yes, culture.