what did morga mention as a food disliked by the spaniards?
What did Morgá mention as a food disliked by the Spaniards?
Answer:
Antonio de Morga, a Spanish lawyer and high-ranking colonial official, wrote extensively about the Philippines during the late 16th and early 17th centuries in his book “Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas” (Events of the Philippine Islands). In his accounts, one specific food item that he mentioned as being disliked by the Spaniards was “balut”.
Balut is a fertilized duck egg with a developing embryo inside that is boiled and eaten in the shell. Spaniards found it unappealing due to its unique appearance and texture, which deeply contrasted with their culinary preferences.
Detailed Context and Explanation:
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Cultural Differences in Food Preferences:
- Much of the Spanish population during that era had very particular tastes, often preferring the familiar cuisines of Spain over the local dishes found in the colonies. Foods that were visually or texturally different from European standards were often met with distaste or reluctance.
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Descriptive Passages:
- In his book, Morga often describes the local foods and customs as being foreign or peculiar to European palates. The mention of balut specifically indicated the strong negative reaction from Spaniards, as it differed significantly from the kind of food they were accustomed to eating.
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Historical Accounts:
- The historical context provided by Morga’s writings gives us a glimpse into how colonial interactions were not only political and economic but also deeply influenced by cultural exchanges and misunderstandings, particularly in the realm of cuisine.
Final Answer:
Antonio de Morga mentioned that the food disliked by the Spaniards was balut, a fertilized duck egg with a developing embryo inside, which was considered unappealing due to its unique appearance and texture.