Humans and Their Food
Tauhid Nur Azhar
Memories of flavor build memories, behaviors, and communication patterns constructed by the singular cortex located just above the bridge of the two hemispheres of the brain, called the corpus callosum. The singular cortex extends until separated by the singular sulcus. The function of the singular cortex is closely related to the main function of the limbic system. The singular cortex receives input data from the thalamus and neocortex, then projects it to the entorhinal cortex through the singulum. The Singular Cortex is an integrated part of the limbic system involved in the processes of emotion formation and processing, learning, and memory. The integration of sensory data from the thalamus produces sensations of memories that leave a lasting impression on the soul and will always be missed.
Just as the yearning of Aztec descendants in the Andes mountains for mole poblano made from chili and chocolate. Capsaicin combined with theobromine. Or like the Eskimo people of the Inuit tribe who long for Muktuk, frozen whale skin and blubber. The taste from the womb of culture also teaches how the temporo-parietal junction area works, especially the right side involved in shifting mental states due to unexpected stimuli and smoothly changing attention orientation. This function is closely related to social cognitive processes such as empathy formation and theory of mind, efforts to understand the thoughts and perceptions of others.
Similarities and intersections of culinary cultures will help the TPJ understand patterns and behaviors represented by the composition of spices, main food ingredients, and how to obtain them. Because there are fundamental differences in personal and communal behavior based on how to obtain main food ingredients. Thus, in anthropology, we recognize maritime culture, as well as agrarian culture, also the foraging group, and now the birth of an industrialist group that tends to be pragmatic.
As for the general function of TPJ, it is reflected in the following excerpt: The superior temporal sulcus, and often the temporoparietal junction, is a brain region that is important for numerous aspects of social cognition. This region is typically active during tasks of cognitive empathy and perspective-taking (Frith & Frith, 2006; Saxe & Kanwisher, 2003).
Considering the significant role of STS (superior temporal sulcus) and TPJ (temporoparietal junction), culinary culture and characteristics of food sources, as well as the geological conditions of a population’s habitat, can serve as a map of behavior, attitudes, and decision-making characteristics of an individual.
Taking the example of maritime culture along our extensive coastline of 81,290 km, we can trace the character, attitude choices, and cognitive, affective, and conative responses related to the biome or habitat that serves as their living space.
Maritime culture, by definition, is a complex set of ideas, concepts, knowledge, values, norms, and rules related to the maritime domain. It serves as a guide for the economic, business, service, and political behaviors of individuals or groups of both fishermen and non-fishermen to achieve their socio-economic interests in producing goods.
This is an anthropological perspective, defined as the study of human behavior and culture. According to the Oxford dictionary, anthropology is the study of human societies and cultures and their development. It can be interpreted as the study of the biological and physiological characteristics of humans and their evolution.
Regarding culinary profiles, main food ingredients, and lifestyles, The American Anthropological Association states that human habits can be studied by observing the unique eating patterns of different individuals.
Therefore, if we examine the culinary culture of Parakan or the Temanggung district that oversees it, we can observe the profiles and characters of people born and raised in the Sindoro-Sumbing mountainous area. There are hidden messages in dishes like soto Lesah, sego Urap, endog kintel, Balung Kuwuk, Ndas Borok, Bajingan, Mendut, Ketan Gudig, or Entho Cothot, which are cultural pride for them.
The interaction between food and human genetics is depicted in the study of nutrigenomics, where the impact of nutrient intake (macronutrients, micronutrients, and bioactives) on gene expression is shown, activating or neglecting certain genes. Meanwhile, nutrigenetic studies describe the interaction of genetic variations with the environment, including the nutrients contained in food.
Therefore, my friend Ano Sajid, who deeply loves his ancestral land, Parakan, must surely carry the influence of soto Lesah, Bajingan, or Ndas Borok in his genetic profile. Where Ndas Borok undoubtedly brings elements of the soil absorbed by the roots of coconut trees, sugar palms, and cassava, which are its main ingredients.
There is an orchestration between soil elements and microbes that convey the genetic messages from the universe. Some important soil bacteria genera include Pseudomonas, Agrobacterium, Azotobacter, Flavobacterium, Clostridium, and Rhizobium. In the soil, there are also microbes from the fungal family, including yeast, mold, and mushrooms (Nurhayati Hakim et al., 1986).
Thus, Ano Parakan is a collection of messages from the soil, microbes, climate, geomorphology, volcanic characteristics, and the modules produced by the accumulation of interactions across dimensions within the population’s scope.
The intervention of wheat through the hegemony of wheat flour as the staple carbohydrate-based calorie source will undoubtedly change the character and neurogenetic profile of its consumers. Similarly, the substitution of sago with rice, hypothetically, can alter the neuropsychological character of its consumers.
So, what is happening today with the homogenization of human characters may not be solely the contribution of technological advancement but also the role of KFC, McD, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, New Zealand milk and butter, as well as soy sauce, mirin, nori, sushi, sashimi, tempura, and teriyaki.
Perhaps the culinary diplomacy strategy of Thailand with its Tom Yam missiles is also part of a grand strategy to “Thai” the global population?
Therefore, its preventive aspect involves carefully preserving and delving deeper into the wisdom of local cuisine, so that its potential can be optimized in developing the nation’s core characteristics.
