In your country, in your culture, are there any food products kind of special? Could you eat frog legs, beef tongue, foie gras, oysters, snails, as some people do in France? Does chocolate taste earthy to you? Are there any special food that you can only eat during special occasions, during very specific meals? How would you react if your guests could not follow your habits? Do you eat sweet or savory breakfast? What would you do if your guests could not eat the same food at the same time, such as soup for breakfast for example?
In France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, it is common to eat certain food during festive occasions: oysters and foie gras are usually associated to Christmas celebration for example. Desert includes a fruit or a pastry, therefore usually a sweet element. In France, desert is sometimes replaced by cheese. However, insects are not consumed.
In general, it is considered impolite to decline tasting a dish. Even if you do not like the preparation or the food, it is better to take some of it on your plate and to taste it to not offend your host. However, you will be excused for health reasons (allergy, diet). People usually empty their plates to indicate that they are no longer hungry.
In Europe, people enjoy tasting “cuisines from around the world”. Therefore, ingredients from other continents usually end up on European tables, at home or at the restaurant.
French cuisine prefers herbs, salt and pepper, and includes spices in small quantities, much less than in Africa or Asia.
