Food Processing Throughout History
Alex Schindler
Tyler Doggett
Philosophy 195
Food Processing Throughout History
Preserving and processing food for consumption has been a driving force behind human technological development for thousands of years. According to encyclopedia.com, food preservation is defined as “protecting food from deterioration and decay so that it will be available for future consumption.” (Pelzer) The advent of food processing was an important and necessary step towards the advancement of the human race. Without the ability to control the shelf life of our food, mankind might never have left Africa, or achieved very much at all. Preserving food was amongst the first ways that humans learned to control their natural world, and has allowed our race to thrive throughout the ages.
Before the advent of agriculture man had to rely solely upon the land for sustenance, a lifestyle which was not entirely conducive to survival. About 10,000 years ago prehistoric man had their first brush with food preservation. (Pelzer) Some early humans began to sequester nuts and seeds away for use during the winter. They had discovered that by utilizing the bitter cold of the winter they could slow the spoilage of their excess foods. (Food Preservation) It was not long after that humans began to experiment with preserving other foods using the cold. Early Pre-Colombian natives in Bolivia and Peru stored and preserved potatoes in the icy upper reaches of the Andes Mountains. (Food Preservation) Several ancient societies discovered that not only did cold preserve plants, but it could also be used to keep meat from spoiling. Early Koreans and Japanese began dry freezing their excess fish in chilly high altitude regions. (Food Preservation) Another way that early humans utilized their natural environment to preserve foods is by drying them in the sun. (Food Preservation) Stone Age man had discovered how to dry meats, a process which would help them one day colonize the world.
Tyler Doggett
Philosophy 195
Food Processing Throughout History
Preserving and processing food for consumption has been a driving force behind human technological development for thousands of years. According to encyclopedia.com, food preservation is defined as “protecting food from deterioration and decay so that it will be available for future consumption.” (Pelzer) The advent of food processing was an important and necessary step towards the advancement of the human race. Without the ability to control the shelf life of our food, mankind might never have left Africa, or achieved very much at all. Preserving food was amongst the first ways that humans learned to control their natural world, and has allowed our race to thrive throughout the ages.
Before the advent of agriculture man had to rely solely upon the land for sustenance, a lifestyle which was not entirely conducive to survival. About 10,000 years ago prehistoric man had their first brush with food preservation. (Pelzer) Some early humans began to sequester nuts and seeds away for use during the winter. They had discovered that by utilizing the bitter cold of the winter they could slow the spoilage of their excess foods. (Food Preservation) It was not long after that humans began to experiment with preserving other foods using the cold. Early Pre-Colombian natives in Bolivia and Peru stored and preserved potatoes in the icy upper reaches of the Andes Mountains. (Food Preservation) Several ancient societies discovered that not only did cold preserve plants, but it could also be used to keep meat from spoiling. Early Koreans and Japanese began dry freezing their excess fish in chilly high altitude regions. (Food Preservation) Another way that early humans utilized their natural environment to preserve foods is by drying them in the sun. (Food Preservation) Stone Age man had discovered how to dry meats, a process which would help them one day colonize the world.
Cited: "Food Preservation - Body, Used, Water, Process, Life, Chemical, Form, Methods, Reaction, Oxygen, Air, Cause, Substance, Ancient Methods, Modern Methods." Science Clarified. 2010. Web. 15 July 2010. . Helmenstine, Anne Marie. "BHA and BHT - Chemistry of BHA and BHT Food Preservatives." Chemistry - Periodic Table, Chemistry Projects, and Chemistry Homework Help. Web. 15 July 2010. . Pelzer, Louis. "Food Preservation." Dictionary of American History. Encyclopedia.com, Jan. 2003. Web. 15 July 2010. "The Food Timeline: History Notes--Mesopotamia through Shakespeare." Food Timeline: Food History & Historic Recipes. Ed. Lynne Olver. 10 July 2010. Web. 15 July 2010. .