10 Diplomatic Feuds That Were Brought About In The Name Of Food

Neighboring countries or countries of the same region often produce similar styles of food or the same food, which they then treat as their own. In some cases, countries even make them exclusive within their own geographical borders. India witnessed its own food feud recently when Odisha claimed the rasgulla as its own, overriding its identity as the iconic sweet from Calcutta. Meat Exporters

In any case, these so-called territorial disputes of gastronomy often lead to conflict, which has led to an international scale for a settlement.

1. Greece vs. EU : A cheesy affair
This feud went on for 20 years after Greece wanted to make this type of crumbling cheese an exclusive product of its country, just like Champagne is exclusively French. This did not go down too well with other European producers like Denmark, Netherlands and Germany who were also large producers of this type of cheese.
In 2005, a court ruling allowed the Greeks to have a monopoly on the name, but the cheese had to be made in a particular way in the country or on the island of Lesbos. Feta cheese produced outside Greece would have to be labelled “feta-style”.

2. Austria vs. Slovenia: All in the name of a pork sausage
The Kranjska Klobasa of Slovenia and the Krainerwurst of Austria are basically the same thing. They are both a variety of spicy pork sausage seasoned with garlic and pepper. It all started when the Slovenes appealed to the EU to get Protected Geographical Indication for their version of the sausage which angered the Austrians who claimed its idea is as Austrian as Mozart.

In 2012, the pork loving countries finally decided to accept each others’ versions of the dish, while Slovenia went ahead and got a Protected Designation Of Origin from the EU. However Croatia has now objected to Slovenia’s claim, leaving the issue unresolved to this day. Buffalo Meat Exporters

3. Australia vs. New Zealand: The Pavlova
The Pavlova is probably one dish that the Aussies and Kiwis have not copied or derived from their European ancestors. It is a cloud-like meringue-based dessert topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit. It was named after a famous Russian ballet dancer, Anna Pavlova, due to its lightness of texture.

Pavlova (the dancer) toured both countries in the 20s but it’s still not clear which country adopted the dessert first. NZ researchers claim the recipe had already made it to cookbooks before the Aussies even tasted it.
The Kiwis have held on to their pride by creating the world’s largest pavlova on two occasions, feeding up to 10,000 people.

4. Japan vs. Korea: Kimuchi or Kimchi?
It is well known that Kimchi is a beloved condiment of pickled vegetable that is enjoyed with Korean cuisine. However, the Japanese created their own version called ‘Kimuchi’ which was less spicy and had artificial additives. What ticked the Koreans off was that ‘KiMUchi’ was selling more than their native ‘KiMchi’.

5. Chile vs. Peru: Jab tak rahega samose mein aloo
These two South American nations, both, pride themselves on the fact that they, each in their own right, are the birthplace of the humble potato. Research has proved that 90% of potato varieties trace their origins to regions of Chile, but Peru begged to differ, claiming it was discovered by the Spanish in the Peruvian part of Lake Titicaca and the Andes. Halal Meat Exporters

They threatened to take the case up to the UN until Bolivia decided to join the quarrel claiming its stake. Peru decided to take things to the next level by hosting a potato version of La Tomatina. That didn’t end well, leaving several injured.

6. Singapore vs. Malaysia: Same thing, different names
Both these Southeast Asian nations share the Chinese New Year tradition of Yee Sang or Yusheng which involves a decorated platter of thinly cut vegetables, noodles and sliced raw fish to be mixed as a kind of toast.

Malaysia added “Yee Sang” to its list of national dishes while Singapore took a bold step of adding “Yusheng” to its list of UNESCO intangible cultural heritage while trying to patent it. This pissed the Malaysians off even further, but guess where the origins of this dish truly lie? China.

Malaysia and Singapore were once one country, under British colonial rule, with Chinese settlers. So this argument is likely to carry on for a long time. Frozen Meat Exporters

Singapore and Malaysia also lay claims to the origin of other dishes like Chili Crab, Hainanese Chicken Rice and Bah Kut Teh. Singaporean chefs have since then made variations to original recipes to protect the Singaporean identity of the dishes.

7. Israel vs. Lebanon: Hummus
This delicious dip made of chickpeas is enjoyed the world over with pita bread. However, the Lebanese who claim to have created it came under threat from the Israelis, when the Jewish state claimed it as their national dish.

It is true that hummus originates from the Arab world, but it predates both Israel and Lebanon to the 12th century Sultanate of Saladin. Arab Jews brought hummus with them to Israel but claiming it as their own would be controversial. Meat exporters India

Israel produced a giant pile of hummus weighing more than 4000 kg in January 2010, but they were upstaged by Lebanon who responded by creating a giant pile of the dip weighing more than 10,450 kg in May 2010.

8. Odisha vs. West Bengal: Where did the Rasgulla come from?
We have all known the rasgulla to originate from the a sweet shop in Calcutta, until priests in the Jagannath temple in Puri claimed this year that the sweet has been in existence for centuries and was used in celebrations of the Rathyatra, as part of the mahabhoga offerings to the deity.

West Bengal still claims that the rasgulla was invented by the sweet-maker K.C Das, in the 20th century, in his shop in Calcutta.

9. France vs. Austria: The Croissant
If you think munching on a croissant and sipping a latte is a very Parisian feeling, you have the Austrians to thank. The French took the basic idea from an Austrian bakery that created “Kipfels”, a crescent shaped pastry to commemorate the victory of the Austrians over the Ottomans. French bakers simply replaced the brioche dough with puff pastry. Boneless Meat Exporters

Although the Kipfels identity may have died out in its homeland, the croissant is still going strong with an even stronger French connection.

10. USA vs. France and Germany: The ice cream cone
The Americans pride themselves on inventing the delicious edible cone we have today, but the French and the Germans have been perfecting the art of street-food ice cream with cones made of paper, metal and a mix of edible materials.

The American version maybe the one that we use today, but there are doubts that the entire idea was completely cooked up by their creators. Fresh meat