7 reasons to eat local on a trip

There are many reasons to eat local on a trip. Feelings, authentic encounters and recipes to bring back into his bag: that's what will make you love locavorism on a journey.

For some, eating local on a trip is an integral part of the adventure. Others, more frile, do not dare to venture on the unknown terrain of a country’s culinary specialties. Fear of the unknown, already, fear of getting sick, constraint of the all-inclusive, prejudices on the gastronomy: several reasons can push to think twice before pushing the door of a restaurant or a local street stand. Yet we can only encourage you to overcome these fears, because there are only good reasons to eat local on a trip.

Fly to coffee plantations Colombia , the cult pizzerias of Italy , the tacos stands Mexico , Indian spice markets or vineyards Australia . To convince you, here are all the reasons to eat local on a trip. Seven arguments followed by some tips on the places where to find these dishes and how to avoid the famous intox, also known as tourista.

1. Discover an essential part of culture

Food is a museum. The history of a country and part of its identity are read through its cooking recipes. In the effluves and flavors of a dish, we find the traces of civilizations past there, old friendships between territories or even footprints of colonization.

2. Closer to premises

Taste local cuisine in a family that has welcomed you with open arms is an unforgettable experience. And you will see how much, around the world, the network of free hospitality is much bigger and more spontaneous than it seems! Food brings people closer, facilitates dialogue and sharing around a pleasant emotion.

Around a table or stalls, you take the pulse of a country. Even sharing a few minutes alongside a producer on a market will bring you closer to the authentic lifestyle of the inhabitants.

3. Support the local economy

Each purchase can become a commitment. By choosing the small family restaurant instead of the international fast food chain, you are working on ethical and responsible tourism. You help preserve the terroir, know-how and jobs within the territory you explore.

You allow better remuneration for producers and craftsmen who work tirelessly to the cultural radiance and attractiveness of their country or region.

4. Fresh and seasonal food

By eating local on a trip, your diet will naturally follow the season cycle. And it’s so much better: fruit and vegetables have more taste and flavour! In addition, they are much better for health as they do not suffer the transport tests that affect nutrients. Foodstuffs are guaranteed without outside agents intended to extend conservation.

They come naturally to maturity, picked at the right time, and this reinforces their concentration in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

5. Savings

Among the reasons to eat local on a trip and not the least: save! The price of local food is often much cheaper than that of large tourist signs. Indeed, the prices of dishes are adapted to the standard of living of the local population (and no one knows that the euro is a much stronger currency than most international currencies).

This is how by multiplying small street restaurants or a basket of products on a market you can drastically reduce your food budget.

6. Preserving the environment

Local food on trip reduces the carbon footprint of your food consumption. Indeed, no energy-efficient agricultural technologies to cultivate off-season products, less transport, no overpacks to resist long journeys, no excessive watering, no cold rooms: the energy balance of your plate is pretty good.

Consuming local food is also a nose for intensive crop methods that have terrible effects on the environment: soil erosion, fertility reduction or desertification that hurt the living.

7. Bring new flavours to home

What better than shared happiness? When you taste the authentic flavors of a distant country and take the time to learn about the elaboration of some exotic recipes, you can, as soon as you return, make your whole surroundings enjoy. And you also have a great chance to be furious with some Indian cheese dwarfs, Australian pork ribs, Thai pad from Thailand, empanadas from Argentina, Creole Rougail or other Italian dessert farandoles.

With your little dish, you will travel your loved ones... from your dining room. You give them the taste of the world and have a great opportunity to tell your perpetia.

How to eat local?

Are you convinced of the right reasons to eat local? So forget the big chains and the hotel’s restaurant. Instead, follow these tips to discover real pepitous places and return the head and stomach full of memories.

Inquiries

Before and during your trip you will find many information on the Internet or in the books about authentic addresses to destination. Blogs and travel guides will allow you to benefit from the experience of many travelers. On site, ask for advice to your hosts, drivers or expatriates.

Join a food-tour

Food-tours are guided tours with the theme of tasting local specialties and meeting with the best artisans of taste. A delight on the background of History.

Survey markets

Colored and alive, markets are at the heart of life and a privileged meeting point for the inhabitants. Here you will find the raw ingredients used in local cuisine like street-food ready to be tasted.

Buy directly from producers

In many countries you will find farms and producers selling their products on the road or within their exploitation. Stop and, for example, buy directly what to cook your next meal.

Follow a cooking class

In addition to completing your travel program and bringing you to meet people from all walks of life, a cooking course is a golden opportunity to learn the cuisine from the inside. Don't step by step, you learn the techniques and secrets of dishes that sometimes make the fame of a whole country.

Go to eat at home

Organized or fortuite meeting, nothing more authentic than eating local on a trip, directly at the table of a resident. If chance does not lead you to such an experience, you will always be able to turn to platforms that propose to connect travellers and locals wishing to put the cover for people who come from elsewhere.

Local food on travel without being sick: good gestures

The reasons for local food on a trip are not missing. However, the shadow of the tourista and food poisonings are planted. At least, when you venture into countries with very different culinary traditions and whose rules of hygiene are different from ours.

Nevertheless, it is usually enough to take some precautions to avoid being sick. Here are the most fundamental.

• If you have doubts, obviously avoid eating raw products. Heat and boiling oil kill most harmful germs.
• Do not eat the foods that have stayed there for a while, whether it is buffets or small stands on a market. In fact, head to busy clusters: the cooks necessarily run the ingredients stored.
• In many countries, make sure to bring your water in bottles or purified water. Take the ice cubes and accept the water served only if it has been boiled.