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Get more with Geico. Hello and welcome to the English Like a Native podcast.
This is not your typical English language learning resource.
There are no textbooks here, no grammar rules, just the weird and wonderful version of English that you will hear spoken in the UK.
I'm your host, Anna, and today we are talking about eating with your hands.
Do you eat with your hands? I bet you do.
We all do. But before I move any further, we're going to hear lots of very interesting words and phrases.
But the three that I want you to listen out for and to take away with you are...
Yield, yield. Now this has other quite common meanings, but today you'll hear it to mean to bend or break.
Under pressure, it yields. The next word is relish, relish, to relish something.
This means to really like or enjoy something.
You relish it. And then the third word is homage.
Homage. This is a noun. It is a deep respect or praise that's shown for a person or God.
So there you go, yield, relish, homage. So how do you feel about eating with your hands?
We all eat with our hands at some point, some of us probably more than others, but there are many foods that we just grab at and pop into our mouths.
You know, I'm British. I love to drink tea and I love to dunk a biscuit.
I can't imagine using cutlery to... deal with my biscuit I mean how would that even work you'd have to like pin it between your fork and your spoon it just wouldn't work you have to use your hands I sound like a mouse.
And then there's lots of foods that just, it would just be so fussy.
If you weren't using your hands, can you imagine a sandwich, eating a sandwich with anything other than your hands?
Pizza. I mean, sometimes I will use a knife and fork with pizza, often if it's really thin and sloppy.
And the base isn't very sturdy. And so you can't really pick up the slice of pizza without it all just sliding off. all the cheese sliding off the pizza.
So in that case, I would use a knife and fork.
Really, pizzas are better when you eat them with your hands.
And a sandwich, of course, with your hands.
What else? Fruit. I often pop my head into the fridge and, ooh, a blueberry.
Just throw that into my mouth. crisps, snacks, those kinds of things we always eat with our hands.
So we all do it. But strangely enough, If you pose that question to me, if you say Anna, how do you feel about eating with your hands?
Strangely enough, despite eating with my hands regularly and even more so now that I have young children When I think about eating with my hands, my immediate reaction is disgust.
But I don't find eating with my hands disgusting.
But when you pose that question, my immediate thought is, ugh.
And that's because my mind jumps to a very specific experience that I don't like, which is Eating fajitas or burritos or anything that's in a wrap. where the food is held inside a wrap and the food that's inside is juicy.
And so the wrap starts to soften and fall apart. letting those juices slowly seep out and cover my fingers, my hands and my wrists. getting underneath my fingernails, and then the wrap starts to break apart.
And I have to quickly shove food into my mouth in an effort to save it from falling. splatting all the juice all over my outfit.
It's just so messy. I don't know why it bothers me so much, but it does.
I think that's the control freak in me. I feel so out of control when I'm...
In that situation with a fajita that's just falling apart and there's juice running all down my arms and food falling everywhere.
And you're shoving it in your mouth. But if I put that aside for a minute. then eating with your hands is perfectly fine.
So tell me, have you ever stopped to think about the simple act of eating with your hands? because it is often seen as a childhood habit or something that's reserved for informal settings.
But I'm here to tell you that actually there's a lot more to it than that.
Eating with our hands is like embarking on a sensory adventure.
A journey that connects us deeply with the food we enjoy.
It's a practice that goes beyond mere convenience.
It's a celebration of authenticity in a world filled with elaborate dining rituals.
So let's dive right into this sensory symphony, shall we?
When you eat with your hands, it's not just about the taste.
It's about engaging all your senses. The touch... the smell, and of course, the taste.
Imagine sinking your fingers into a ripe, juicy peach.
The soft flesh yields to your touch, releasing a sweet aroma that tans. tantalises your senses before you take the first delectable bite.
This tactile exploration begins before the food even reaches your mouth setting the stage for a deeper connection.
It's a journey of sensations that cutlery simply can't replicate.
Now let's talk about the chemistry of touch.
Did you know that our hands have a unique scent? and when we handle our food, we transfer these molecules onto it.
Are you smelling your hands now? Mine smell quite clean.
And I can detect a hint of pomegranate. Which is... That's probably from my hand soap, actually.
Mmm... Now this little interaction between hands and food influences the food's aroma and flavour.
Take kneading dough when you're making bread, for example.
As you work that dough with your hands, the warmth and the natural oils from your skin infuse it with a distinct, homely fragrance. evoking memories of home-cooked meals.
But guess what? Eating with your hands is not just a Western thing.
I'm sure you are all aware of that. It's a global phenomenon. celebrated and cherished in many cultures.
In India, for example, it's not just about convenience.
It's a cultural tradition deeply rooted in history.
The Indian thali, a meal that showcases an array of flavours and textures, is meant to be savoured with your fingers.
Each bite is like an exploration of taste and tradition, connecting you to a rich culinary heritage that spans centuries.
It's a celebration of culture, identity and the customs that have shaped the subcontinent.
And let's not forget Africa and Asia. These regions also have a deep reverence for eating with hands.
In Ethiopia, they use injera, a spongy sourdough flatbread, to scoop up stews and salads. creating a tactile and communal dining experience.
Similarly, in various Asian countries from Thailand to Indonesia, eating with your hands is considered the norm for certain dishes.
It fosters a sense of togetherness and shared enjoyment, reminding us that food isn't just nourishment.
It's a window into the soul of a culture.
Eating with your hands is also about breaking free from convention.
In the Western world, the idea of eating with your hands has come a long way.
Historical records show that using forks was once a novelty in Europe.
The table manners were strictly enforced to distinguish social classes.
But as time passed, these rules relaxed and certain foods like pizza gradually became acceptable to be enjoyed with our hands.
It reflects how our culinary habits and perspectives have evolved, liberating us thankfully, from formality and enhancing our dining experiences.
I just wonder how long it's going to take for licking the lid of a yogurt pot or licking your plate to become more widely acceptable. hopefully soon so I don't have to keep hiding shamefully as I lick my lid clean.
Does anyone else do that or is that just me?
Maybe I should keep that to myself. Now, eating with your hands is a celebration of individuality.
It challenges societal norms and celebrates your personal preferences.
It's a statement that your connection with food is deeply personal, not dictated by conventions.
It's a return to authenticity, rejecting the artificial boundaries that have been imposed upon culinary experiences.
Eating With Your Hands invites you to explore your true culinary desire. and relish the sensory pleasure that comes from being yourself.
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It makes me think of my children when they were weaning, when they were, you know, between six months and one year old.
And I would put their food in front of them, always with a fork or a spoon.
But guess what? That would be thrown straight away.
And they would just get their hands in it. and they would squeeze it in their fingers and they'd rub it all over their faces.
You know, they really enjoyed the whole experience of food.
It wasn't just about put it in the mouth and taste it.
It was... feel it test it rub it on your face stick it in your hair throw it at the wall And we have to get back to that, not to that messy stage.
I don't think I could bear that, but we definitely have to get back to connecting to our food.
There's a magic in touch. Food tastes better when you consume it with your hands.
And I know that sounds mystical, but it is firmly rooted in science.
The tactile sensation of interacting with food before it touches your taste buds creates a palpable sense of anticipation.
Imagine peeling a ripe mango with your hands as you run your fingers over its smooth, fragrant skin You can feel the fruit's firmness and ripeness.
The anticipation builds with each touch, culminating in that first juicy bite.
It's a sensory journey that begins with touch and ends with the explosion of flavor in your mouth.
My mouth is actually watering talking about this.
Now beyond the immediate sensory pleasure, eating with your hands fosters a deeper mind-body connection.
Your hands become an extension of your thoughts and desires, allowing you to engage with your food in a way that's both intimate and deliberate. tearing into freshly baked bread, feeling the crust yield beneath your fingers and savoring the warmth of the soft interior. is an experience that transcends the ordinary.
It's a tactile meditation, a moment of mindfulness where you are fully present in the act of nourishing yourself.
I don't know about you, but bread, freshly baked bread, the smell, the feeling of that warm bread, the butter melting inside. into the warm bread.
Oh, it's just the best. I am so hungry right now.
Okay. So apart from all this, we mustn't overlook the practical side of eating with your hands.
Your hands are very versatile tools. that communicate silently with your food.
I hate working with gloves. can't clean i i can't cook i can't do anything with gloves on it i need to feel i need to connect Your hands they help you to evaluate textures and make informed choices about what you're consuming.
When you use your hands to explore the textures of a dish, you engage in a sensorial journey that heightens your awareness of the culinary experience.
It's adaptive to various eating environments like those bustling Asian markets where street food vendors serve up delicious dishes perfect for eating on the go.
And skilled chefs often employ their hands to meticulously arrange delicate ingredients, creating visually stunning compositions that engaged not only the palate, but also the eyes.
Now, if you, like me, have some hangups about getting messy hands, Perhaps we should all really work on embracing the novelty of eating with our hands.
It encourages exploration. stepping outside of our comfort zones.
It reminds us that food is an adventure, a journey of discovery where we engage with all our senses. unburdened by preconceived notions of propriety.
And speaking of culinary boundaries, fusion cuisine benefits greatly from the practice of eating with your hands.
Combining elements from different traditions can lead to astonishingly delicious results.
Dishes like sushi burritos and Mexican-inspired Indian tacos.
They embrace the fluidity of culinary innovation while encouraging diners to embrace the tactile joy of eating with their hands.
I must go and eat. In conclusion... And then I'm going to run to the kitchen.
In conclusion... Eating with your hands isn't a primitive or uncivilized practice.
It's a celebration of our humanity. a homage to our diverse cultural heritage and a testament to the sensory richness of the culinary world.
So next time you pick up a burger or a sandwich, take a moment to truly savour the diverse textures and flavours with your fingertips. embrace the sensory delight, celebrate the connection between touch and taste, and relish the freedom of breaking free from convention.
It's a small yet transformative pleasure that genuinely enhances the entirety of the meal and... is a testament to the enduring power of our hands in the world of culinary exploration.
As we continue to evolve in our culinary practices, we ought to keep in mind the simple joy and profound connection that can be found in the art of eating with our hands. a timeless tradition that celebrates our humanity and nourishes both body and soul.
It is a reminder that in our quest for culinary innovation... if you are quite innovative in the kitchen, that we should never lose sight of the traditions that have shaped our relationship with food. and continue to enrich our lives in ways both practical and profound.
So with that said, what are you going to have as your next meal?
It's been lovely sharing these thoughts with you.
Until next time, take very good care and goodbye.
I'll be back on the 8th until that day. Let's laugh and wait.
Anna's away, but the joy's here to stay.
Old shows, new smiles, hip hip hooray. in as a way.
