Subcapa HCI

In addition to the understanding and significance of food security to migrants, the attitudes of migrants adapting to the food culture in Tasmania were extracted from the data, and their views on the differences in the food culture and the reasons for adaptation. This section presents the findings regarding the attitudes of migrants in relation to the adaptation to the food culture in Tasmania.

5.4.3.1 Attitudes to food adaptation

During the interviews, the migrants expressed their views about adapting to the food culture in Tasmania. Most interviewees adapted to the new food culture easily. One respondent stated, ‘No. I do not have difficulty in adapting to the food culture here’ (M11), and another agreed, ‘No, I do not have problems at all’ (M16). They did not meet any problems in adapting to the food culture and were flexible and adaptable to the new food culture. ‘What we ate in India, we get everything here’ (M23). This interviewee stated they did not face any problems in relation to the food culture.

However, some interviewees felt that it was difficult to adapt to the food culture in Tasmania, particularly during the early stages of migration. They ‘miss[ed] food back home’ (M6). After a period of time, they learnt to adapt and became used to the food culture in Tasmania.

In the beginning, it was difficult to change, but as time goes by… I learn to adapt to a different kind of food available in Tasmania. (M3)

Even though most interviewees adapted to the food culture, some were unfamiliar with particular foods available in Tasmania. This was a challenge for them to acculturate to the food culture in Tasmania.

There are some foods that I am not used to, for example, the dairy products, cheese. Another thing is a particular kind of sweets commonly put on the cake. It tastes weird to me. I do not like it. Furthermore, the desserts here are too sweet. (M26)

5.4.3.2 Differences in food culture

In addition to food adaptation, there was a significant difference in food culture in terms of the food preparation and food types available. Traditional Australian methods of food preparation (such as are found in Tasmania) are more European- style using baking or roasting. While in Asia, such as the Philippines, ‘[We] normally have steamed fried vegetables with rice. However, here [Tasmania], we often have baked vegetables with steak or steam vegetables with whatever meat we can have’ (M3). Similarly, Chinese cooking styles involve a lot of stir fry. Differences in cooking styles between Australia and other Western countries were identified by some interviewees. One interviewee from the United States, ‘found out there is much fried food… Even you have the roast meal. It was cooked like oil… Much fried food [that] surprise me’ (M18).This is despite both Australia and America sharing commonalities in other aspects of their cultures.

Other than the differences in food preparation methods, the types of food eaten in Tasmania were also different. The staple food types eaten in Tasmania are mainly Western staples including bread, potatoes and dairy products. As 91% of the interviewees were from Asia and they therefore had rice as a staple food for most meals. For example, migrants from China, the Philippines and Korea usually consumed rice with vegetables or meat.

I would say we eat more veggies in China. We stir fry the veggies and eat with rice. However, here they frequently have potatoes or pumpkins, no much rice. So that is the difference. We used to eating rice in our culture. (M2)

In Korea, rice is the main food for each meal, including breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are many side dishes including soup with rice in each meal. This is Korean way of eating. (M28)

Other differences were remarked on: M23 who was from India noted the use of different spices in cooking and observed that the use of spices in India was quite the opposite from Australia.

5.4.3.3 Reasons for food adaptation

Reasons for food adaptation were identified and the interviewees claimed that personal reasons made it easier for them to adapt to the new food culture. For example, they felt excited to taste and use food that they never tried before. M6 indicated, ‘When I was first got here, I was excited to eat steak.’ It was always a good experience to try and test new foods.

The experiences of exposure to different varieties of foods and experiencing new foods helped the migrants to adapt to the host country’s food culture. It seems that once the migrants received greater exposure to another culture, they became better-adapted to the new culture.

Because I have been exposed to a different kind of food, so it is not difficult to adapt. Just have to enjoy it. (M24)

In order to have a healthier lifestyle, the migrants adapted to Australian way of eating because they viewed the Australian eating style as a healthier alternative. A migrant who originated from Malaysia, used to have many oily foods and adapted to the Australian food culture by having Australian meals such as ‘Breakfast, no more spicy food, only toast bread and oats. Lunch, I eat fruit. Moreover, dinner, I have potatoes’ (M20). By following the Australian healthy way of eating, she made herself fitter, healthier and also lost some weight.

Another concern was food preparation time. Some cultural foods took longer time to prepare than Australian food. One migrant from Korea changed her eating habits from Korean food to Australian food because Korean food preparation consumed too much time. She decided to give up making Korean food,

I adjusted my food habits with Australia’s food culture. I prefer simple meal with less complicated food preparation. The fewer food ingredients will make a meal healthier. So, the reasons I abandon Korean food is it is time consuming to prepare. It needs much time to prepare. (M28)

Some migrants indicated that having children was likely to motivate them to adapt to the new food culture. Children impacted adult eating habits as adults usually followed their children’s eating habits. A respondent who had two children said,

Because I have kids, so it is a bit easier for me… Because he likes the western food, so [I] have to cook western food for him. So it makes me easier to adapt to the food culture… If I cook some Chinese food, he will not happy. It is OK for me. If you do not have children, you will not care so much. (M33)

In contrast, older migrants still preferred traditional food. They tended to retain their traditional food uses and eating habits. It was more challenging for them to adapt to the Western food culture. A migrant commented, ‘Our parents and grandparents do not eat some Australian food like noodle and meat here. They prefer traditional food’ (M25).

In summary, the interviewees have adapted well to the mainstream food culture in Tasmania although most of them experienced difficulties in the early stages of settlement in Tasmania. The interviewees were satisfied with the food in Tasmania; though there were big differences between the food culture in Tasmania and their home countries, especially for those from Asian countries. Some found that the different types of food preparation were a challenge when adapting to the new food culture. Nevertheless, their attitudes to trying new food, their experiences of being exposed to different kinds of food, and their various life stages (i.e., having children, elderly) affected the process of adapting to the new food culture.