| The trendy culinary style called California cuisine | | | | and ingredients. |
| grows more popular each day. Although this term | | | | When explaining the style of cooking as different |
| is familiar to lots of folks, not many are able to | | | | as one, it is necessary to emphasize that the |
| actually define it. California blends an array of | | | | binding thread is the fresh ingredients. California |
| cultural styles, as does its cuisine. As a general | | | | has varied soil that can support an amazing array |
| standard, California cuisine is defined as the town's | | | | of produce, so fresh, seasonal ingredients are |
| organic food that is prepared with different spices | | | | never out of reach. Unlimited menu possibilities are |
| and using methods from around the world. | | | | available due to the steady supply of local |
| The food reflects California's long history of | | | | ingredients. Organic produce and hormone- and |
| immigration and decades of cultural integration. | | | | antibiotic-free animals are the hallmarks of the |
| The state's diverse cultural background has | | | | cuisine. Additionally, California cuisine aims to please |
| nurtured a cuisine that is a fusion of foods from | | | | people that are health conscious with a |
| around the world. California's food copies Mexican | | | | vegetarianism trend. It celebrates healthy recipes |
| and Spanish heritage because until 1848, California | | | | made with fresh, sustainable, locally grown |
| was a part of Mexico. The Gold Rush and the | | | | ingredients. |
| building of the Transcontinental Railroad brought | | | | Fresh herbs, tofu, avocados, and citrus are |
| thousands of immigrant Chinese, who brought | | | | perennial ingredients in California cuisine. For protein |
| with them flavors and cooking methods that to | | | | items, meat and chicken are common, while lamb |
| this day influence the food along the west coast. | | | | and pork are used more infrequently. Culinary |
| In the 1960's, the influx of "hippies" to the San | | | | techniques entail rapid grilling or stove heating to |
| Francisco area popularized the philosophy of | | | | maintain color and fresh taste. In this cuisine, both |
| "peace and love" as well as local food movements | | | | presentation and appearance of menu items are |
| like vegetarianism. Last but not least of | | | | given priority. California rolls, which are a menu |
| importance to California cuisine is the integral | | | | staple in sushi joints, are a traditional |
| inclusion of French culinary methods. The reason is | | | | representative of California cuisine. This type of |
| that a lot of cooks who pioneered California | | | | roll includes ingredients like crab, cucumber and |
| cuisine got their training in France. All of these | | | | avocado encased in nori with rice. Many |
| elements influence the recipes and cooking styles | | | | restaurant eaters have tried California rolls before |
| to create food that is a unique patois of flavors | | | | they went ahead to eat food that is more exotic. |