And the best national cuisine in the world is ...

I recently read an article rating the best food in the world. Listed at number one was American fare.  I then looked at the source of the article.  You guessed it, it was written by an American.  My guess would be that if the same article was written by an Aussie, Brit, Japanese or you name it, the top position would probably be their respected national cuisine.
A kind Taiwanese friend once told me, "Good thing you live in Taiwan, because our food is one of the best", Don't get me wrong, I think Taiwan has some tasty food.  But for some reason it is so common to think that our own country's cuisine has the most tantalizing flavors.

So, how do we handle this bias many of us, including our Taiwanese counterparts, possess?  One thing to keep in mind is that food is usually deeply connected with our culture.  If you right out reject someone's food, that can be offensive.  So, if a Taiwanese person offers you some local food that looks a little unusual, think about how you would like to be treated.  I suggest you take a small bite and try it.  You might be surprised and find it bursting with succulent flavor.  I have had some experiences where I have been pleasantly surprised and thought, wow, I'm so glad I tried that.

So, the next time someone tells you that their country has the best food in the world, remember, just as  beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I think scrumptious flavors are in the taste buds of the diner.