Birthday food traditions from different countries

Birthdays are special as they not only signify
the passing of another milestone in our lives but also a zealous celebration of
good food with family and loved ones.

Everyone and every family have a unique way of
celebrating birthdays. While some prepare tasty kheer, others treat their loved
ones with some lip-smacking sweet delicacies.

But have you
ever wondered how birthdays are celebrated around the world? Here are some
famous food traditions that are followed on birthdays.

Seaweed soup:
Seaweed soup is an essential part of South Korean cuisine. This soup is
specially cooked on birthdays, and unlike in other cultures, it is not sweet,
but its nutrient-rich content and wonderful taste make it a palate pleasure. It
is assumed that eating well on this day will ensure a happy and healthy future.

Princess Cake: Have
you always been enthralled by princess stories and wished you were one on your
birthday? Then you’ll be awestruck by this unusual Swedish birthday tradition
of baking a princess cake to add sweetness to the festivities. This lovely cake
is made with a layer of soft sponge cake, fruit jams, pastry cream, whipped
cream, and marzipan on top to offer an eye-catching touch.

Payesh: Payesh
is an essential part of Bengali cuisine, and it’s difficult to imagine a
party or special event without it. This thick, creamy Payesh is traditionally cooked
on birthdays as a blessing for a good future and is made with creamy milk,
rice, ghee, gur (jaggery), and cardamom pods.

Also Read | 10 Bihari dishes you must try

Brigadeiro: Birthdays in Brazil are celebrated
with Brigadeiro, a tasty sweet ball. Condensed milk, butter, and chocolate are
used to make these delicious treats, which are then topped with colourful
sprinkles and nuts.

Sweet Mochi
Cakes: Japan is known for its healthy eating habits, which can also be
reflected in its birthday customs! Rather than eating a large cake, Japanese
people bake little bite-sized sweet mochi cakes to celebrate birthdays. Sweet
rice, soy flour, and delectable fillings like red bean paste are used to make
these little rice cakes.

Oto: Everyone
wishes for breakfast in bed, but in Ghana, birthdays are celebrated with a
delightful morning dish known as Oto. Oto is a dish made using fresh, locally
grown yams that have been boiled and mashed with a mix of spices and seasonings
such as onions, salt, and powdered shrimp, and served with hard-boiled eggs. In
this recipe, the inclusion of an egg marks the transition from childhood to
adulthood. 

Vlaai: The birthday tradition in the Netherlands
emphasises sharing and caring! As a result, they make Vlaai, a large pie that
resembles a huge tart and is filled with berries, plums, and apricots. This
massive sweet treat has a diameter of 26-31 cm.