Using American Census data, designer Hanna Kang-Brown created barbecue rubs based on New York's boroughs called 'Census Spices.' Each of Kang-Brown's mixes accurately represents the racial composition of each of the five boroughs.
The Census Spices were created by assigning each ethnicity a different distinct spice. Italians were assigned garlic powder while the Chinese were given ground ginger. Other cultures were paired with spices that best represent their cuisine as well. After pairing cultures with spices, Kang-Brown created mixes based on Census data. Spices were added in proportion to each borough's cultural makeup.
Kang-Brown's experiment worked surprisingly well as people could identify boroughs based on each rub's composition. Staten Island was easily discerned from the garlic powder which represents the borough's large Italian population.
What's Driving This Trend
- Ethnic-based Food
- Creating food products that are tailored to specific ethnicities based on cultural representation, like the Census Spices.
- Data-driven Food Trends
- Using data, such as Census information, to inform and create innovative food products.
- Cultural Identity in Food
- Highlighting the cultural diversity and identity of a specific location through food products, as seen with the Census Spices.
Who This Affects Most
- Food and Beverage
- Opportunity for food companies to develop and market products that cater to specific ethnicities based on cultural representation.
- Market Research and Data Analysis
- Companies specializing in data analysis can provide insights and recommendations on developing data-driven food products.
- Ethnic Cuisine Representation
- Opportunity for the restaurant industry to showcase and celebrate the cultural identity of a specific location through their menu offerings.
