Savor the journey of a 'taste adventure'
In the heart of the pandemic, award-winning poet and essayist Aimee Nezhukumatathil found herself reminiscing about the tastes and smells of her childhood. With her family in Oxford, Mississippi, Nezhukumatathil wrote a memoir in taste called "Bite by Bite," a lyrical, joyous, and honest exploration of food memories that celebrates family gatherings and cultural connections.
Nezhukumatathil, whose parents are immigrants from India and the Philippines, grew up with a rich culinary heritage. Her parents made sure she knew the food from both of their countries, but it was hard for them. They grew fruits and vegetables in their yard and considered it wasteful not to do so.
The shared experience of food and food memories can create a reciprocal and interactive relationship between the writer and the audience. In "Bite by Bite," Nezhukumatathil uses food memories to create a sense of companionship and shared experiences, making readers feel less alone. Her writing style is descriptive and specific, allowing readers to feel as if they are on a journey with her. It is not didactic, but rather invites readers to join her on a journey of exploration and discovery.
The memoir delves into the variety of flavors that food can offer, including hints of cherry, fibrous textures, soft flesh, and different levels of tartness and sweetness. Nezhukumatathil reminisces about the tastes and smells of leche flan, chicken curry, crispy lumpia, shaved coconut, and home-grown mangoes and jackfruit. These food memories are emotion-laden, transporting readers to different places and creating a sense of trust and interaction between the writer and the audience.
The discourse and treatment of food and culture have changed significantly since the 1970s. With an increase in the number of Indian restaurants and acceptance of diverse cuisines, food has become a powerful tool for sharing memories and feelings of connection. Nezhukumatathil's graduate writing class debated whether to italicize or add a footnote for the word "mango" in a poem, due to perceived exoticism. However, the memoir "Bite by Bite" embraces the diversity of food and culture, celebrating the wonder and expansiveness that food can bring to our lives.
During the pandemic, Nezhukumatathil's parents were quarantined in Florida, and her extended family was in India and the Philippines. The pandemic context has influenced many readers' reflections on cooking and food as sources of comfort and connection during isolation. While the search results do not directly address the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on cooking and food memories as depicted in "Bite by Bite," the memoir is known to explore how food connects to memory, identity, and culture.
"Bite by Bite" is Nezhukumatathil's second book of essays, focusing on the wonder of exploring the world through taste and food memories. It is a testament to the power of food in creating shared experiences and fostering connections, even during times of isolation.
- Aimee Nezhukumatathil's memoir, "Bite by Bite," uses food memories to cultivate a sense of companionship and shared experiences, inviting readers to join her on a journey of exploration and personal growth.
- The discourse and treatment of food and culture have evolved significantly since the 1970s, with food becoming a potent tool for sharing memories and fostering connections, as seen in Nezhukumatathil's memoir.
- In the heart of the pandemic, cooking and food memories have emerged as sources of comfort and connection during isolation, a theme subtly explored in Nezhukumatathil's memoir "Bite by Bite."
- By immersing readers in her rich culinary heritage and detailed food memories, Nezhukumatathil's memoir encourages mindfulness and self-development, offering insights into the importance of cultural connections and lifestyle choices through food.
