In this infographic Tim Whiting share 10 wedding foods from around the world.

Here’s what makes the list:

  • Germany: Hochzeitssuppe
  • Italy: Jordan Almonds
  • Japan: Kazunoko
  • Vietnam: Banh Xu Xe
  • Brazil: Bem Casados
  • Bulgaria: Breaking Bread
  • Bermuda: Cedar Sapling Cake Toppers
  • Thailand: Foi Thong Cake
  • Greece: Bread Salad
  • Ukraine: Korovai

Check out the infographic for more detail.

10 Traditional Wedding Foods from Around the World [Infographic]

 

Weddings are a universal celebration of love, commitment, and the joining of two lives. While customs and traditions vary from one culture to another, there is one aspect of weddings that transcends borders and languages: food.

Traditional wedding foods not only nourish the body but also symbolize various aspects of love, prosperity, and unity. In this culinary journey, we will explore five fascinating wedding foods from different corners of the world, each with its own unique story and significance.

 

Germany: Hochzeitssuppe

Our culinary exploration begins in Germany with a dish called Hochzeitssuppe, which translates to “wedding soup.” This hearty and comforting soup is a staple at German weddings and has a rich history dating back centuries. Hochzeitssuppe is not just a delicious dish; it carries deep cultural and emotional significance.

  • The Dish: Hochzeitssuppe is typically a clear broth-based soup made with chicken or beef and an array of vegetables, including carrots, celery, and leeks. What sets it apart from everyday soup is the addition of tiny, delicate dumplings called Griessnockerl. These dumplings symbolize the hope for a marriage filled with small joys and sweetness.
  • The Tradition: In Germany, serving Hochzeitssuppe at a wedding is a cherished tradition that represents nourishment, warmth, and the beginning of a new life together. It is believed that sharing this soup will bring good luck and prosperity to the newlyweds. The warmth of the soup is meant to signify the warmth of love that the couple will share throughout their married life.
  • The Recipe: To make Hochzeitssuppe, you’ll need chicken or beef broth, vegetables, Griessnockerl dumplings, and often, small meatballs. It’s a time-intensive dish that requires patience and skill to prepare the dumplings just right. The result is a flavorful and soul-soothing soup that can warm the hearts of all who partake in it.

 

Italy: Jordan Almonds

From Germany, we travel to Italy, where weddings are known for their elegance and rich traditions. One such tradition involves the sweet and symbolic Jordan almonds, known as “confetti” in Italian.

  • The Dish: Jordan almonds are not your typical almonds. These are sugar-coated almonds, often in pastel colors, that are presented in small bags or decorative boxes. The contrasting flavors of the almond’s bitterness and the sugar’s sweetness symbolize the bittersweet nature of life and marriage.
  • The Tradition: The tradition of giving Jordan almonds as wedding favors dates back to ancient Rome. These sweets were believed to bring good luck, fertility, and prosperity to the couple. The number of almonds given to guests is significant: five almonds represent health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity. It’s customary for guests to receive five almonds to ensure the couple’s journey is filled with these blessings.
  • The Recipe: While you can purchase Jordan almonds at most confectionery stores, making them at home is a labor of love. Start by blanching and toasting raw almonds, then coat them in a simple syrup and toss them in sugar. The process is delicate, but the result is a beautiful and meaningful wedding favor that carries the essence of Italian tradition.

 

Japan: Kazunoko

Our next stop on this global culinary tour is Japan, a country known for its rich cultural traditions and exquisite cuisine. In Japanese weddings, one dish that stands out is Kazunoko, or herring roe.

  • The Dish: Kazunoko is made from the roe of herring fish, which is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sake, and mirin. The roe is then pressed and dried, resulting in small, golden-yellow, and slightly translucent pieces. These pieces symbolize fertility, abundance, and the hope for many children in the couple’s future.
  • The Tradition: Kazunoko has been a part of Japanese wedding traditions for centuries. Its association with fertility makes it a natural choice for weddings, where the focus is on the beginning of a new family. The texture of the roe, which pops in the mouth, is believed to bring good fortune and joy to the couple.
  • The Recipe: Making Kazunoko at home can be quite challenging, as it requires access to fresh herring roe and the skills to properly marinate and prepare it. It’s often more practical to enjoy this delicacy at a traditional Japanese wedding or at a fine Japanese restaurant.

 

Vietnam: Banh Xu Xe

Our culinary journey now takes us to Vietnam, a country with a rich culinary heritage. At Vietnamese weddings, one dish that holds a special place is Banh Xu Xe, a delightful treat filled with symbolism and flavor.

  • The Dish: Banh Xu Xe, also known as “rolling rice cake,” is a round, glutinous rice cake filled with a sweet mung bean paste. These cakes are often wrapped in banana leaves, tied with colorful strings, and steamed. The round shape symbolizes the harmony and unity of the couple, while the sticky rice represents the bond that holds them together.
  • The Tradition: Banh Xu Xe is a must-have at Vietnamese weddings and symbolizes the hope for a sweet and enduring marriage. It’s also considered an auspicious food, believed to bring prosperity to the couple. Guests often receive these cakes as favors to take home as a token of the couple’s appreciation.
  • The Recipe: Making Banh Xu Xe requires glutinous rice, mung bean paste, and banana leaves. The process involves cooking the rice and filling, then wrapping and steaming the cakes. While it may seem simple, creating these cakes with the right texture and flavor can be a culinary art form.

 

Brazil: Bem Casados

Our next destination on this culinary journey is Brazil, a country known for its vibrant culture and festivities. At Brazilian weddings, Bem Casados, or “well-married,” are a cherished dessert that embodies the sweetness of love and commitment.

  • The Dish: Bem Casados are delicate sandwich cookies made of two layers of sponge cake filled with dulce de leche or guava paste. The cookies are lightly coated with sugar syrup, which not only adds sweetness but also represents the binding of two lives together.
  • The Tradition: Bem Casados are an essential part of Brazilian weddings, and they are given to guests as a symbol of gratitude and goodwill. It’s customary for guests to receive these treats in pairs, symbolizing the union of the couple and the hope for a harmonious and sweet marriage.
  • The Recipe: Making Bem Casados at home requires sponge cake, dulce de leche or guava paste, and a sugar syrup. The delicate process of assembling these cookies and ensuring they are perfectly balanced in sweetness is a testament to the care and attention required in building a strong and loving marriage.

 

Bulgaria: Breaking Bread

Our next destination is Bulgaria, a country with a rich history of customs and traditions, including unique wedding rituals and symbolic foods like Breaking Bread.

  • The Dish: Breaking Bread, known as “kuklyachki,” is a traditional Bulgarian wedding ritual rather than a dish. The bride and groom each take a loaf of bread, and they attempt to break it in half simultaneously. The person who gets the larger piece is believed to be the head of the household. This ritual symbolizes unity, cooperation, and the shared responsibilities of married life.
  • The Tradition: Breaking Bread is an ancient custom in Bulgarian weddings that signifies the couple’s commitment to working together and sharing their life’s burdens and joys. It’s a heartwarming display of their willingness to support one another as they embark on their journey as a married couple.
  • The Significance: While there is no specific recipe for Breaking Bread, the symbolism it holds is profound. It highlights the importance of cooperation and balance in a successful marriage, reminding the couple and their guests that they will face challenges together and share in the rewards of their shared life.

 

Bermuda: Cedar Sapling Cake Toppers

Our next stop takes us to the stunning island of Bermuda, where weddings are celebrated with a unique and eco-conscious tradition involving Cedar Sapling Cake Toppers.

  • The Dish: Bermuda weddings often feature a cake adorned with small cedar saplings instead of traditional cake toppers. These saplings represent the couple’s growth and flourishing love, as well as their commitment to protecting the environment. Cedar trees are significant in Bermuda’s history and culture, making them a meaningful addition to the wedding.
  • The Tradition: Bermuda is known for its lush cedar forests, and the use of cedar saplings in weddings is a way of honoring and preserving the island’s natural heritage. The newlyweds often plant these saplings after the ceremony as a symbol of their commitment to nurturing their relationship and the environment.
  • The Significance: While there is no specific recipe for cedar saplings, their significance lies in their representation of growth and sustainability. This tradition is a reminder that love, like a sapling, requires care, attention, and protection to thrive and endure.

 

Thailand: Foi Thong Cake

Our culinary journey now takes us to Thailand, a country renowned for its vibrant culture and cuisine. In Thai weddings, Foi Thong Cake is a sweet and symbolic treat that captures the essence of love and prosperity.

  • The Dish: Foi Thong Cake is a visually striking dessert made from threads of golden egg yolk and sugar syrup. The delicate threads are intricately woven into nests or flower shapes, creating a stunning and sweet masterpiece. The golden color symbolizes wealth and prosperity in the couple’s future life together.
  • The Tradition: Foi Thong is a beloved Thai dessert, and its inclusion in weddings represents the couple’s hopes for a sweet and prosperous marriage. The meticulous craftsmanship required to create this dessert mirrors the patience and care needed to build a strong and lasting relationship.
  • The Recipe: Making Foi Thong Cake requires a skilled hand and a lot of patience. It involves separating egg yolks from whites, creating a sugar syrup, and carefully weaving the threads of egg yolk into intricate shapes. The result is not only delicious but also a beautiful work of edible art.

 

Greece: Bread Salad

Our next destination is Greece, a country with a rich history of cultural traditions, including the symbolic and flavorful Bread Salad, known as “Dakos” or “Koukouvagia.”

  • The Dish: Bread Salad, or Dakos, is a simple yet delicious dish made from dried bread (usually barley rusks), tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, oregano, and olive oil. The bread is soaked in water to soften it, and then it’s topped with the other ingredients. The combination of flavors represents the simplicity and abundance of Greek cuisine.
  • The Tradition: In Greek weddings, Bread Salad is often served as an appetizer or side dish. It symbolizes the importance of family and community, as well as the simple pleasures of life. Sharing this dish signifies the couple’s desire to build a life filled with love, warmth, and hospitality.
  • The Recipe: To make Dakos at home, you’ll need dried bread, ripe tomatoes, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, olive oil, and oregano. The key to this dish is the quality of ingredients and the balance of flavors. It’s a dish that celebrates the beauty of simplicity and the richness of Mediterranean flavors.

 

Ukraine: Korovai

Our final destination on this culinary tour is Ukraine, a country known for its rich cultural heritage and deep-rooted traditions. At Ukrainian weddings, the centerpiece is often a magnificent bread called Korovai.

  • The Dish: Korovai is a large, round, braided bread decorated with intricate patterns and symbols. It is traditionally made with wheat flour, water, yeast, and salt. The surface of the bread is adorned with symbolic motifs like doves, suns, and wheat stalks, all of which represent prosperity, happiness, and the couple’s bright future together.
  • The Tradition: Korovai holds a central role in Ukrainian weddings and is considered a sacred symbol of family unity. The bread is typically presented to the couple by their parents or grandparents as a gesture of blessing and support. Breaking the bread together is a symbolic act that represents the couple’s commitment to sharing their lives and their readiness to face the challenges of marriage.
  • The Significance: While making a traditional Korovai requires skill and expertise, it’s the symbolism that truly matters. The intricate decorations and the act of sharing the bread underscore the couple’s bond, the support of their families, and their hopes for a harmonious and prosperous life together.

 

Conclusion

Weddings are a celebration of love, and traditional wedding foods from around the world are a testament to the rich cultural tapestry that makes up our global community. Whether it’s the warmth of Hochzeitssuppe in Germany, the symbolism of Jordan almonds in Italy, the fertility wishes of Kazunoko in Japan, the unity represented by Banh Xu Xe in Vietnam, or the sweetness of Bem Casados in Brazil, these dishes not only tantalize our taste buds but also remind us of the universal desire for love, happiness, and prosperity in marriage.

As we explore these culinary traditions, we find common threads of hope, unity, and love that bind us all together, transcending borders and languages. So, the next time you attend a wedding, pay attention to the food served – it’s not just a meal; it’s a cultural expression of love and a wish for a beautiful future for the newlyweds.