Barbecue in the South

589 Words2 Pages

On a humid afternoon in Georgia as you peacefully rock in your rocking chair you are approached with the irresistible scent of fresh barbecue, and sweet hickory chips. As the scent lingers on, you can’t help but crave a plate of this comfort food. To those in America, this is known as Barbecue. Barbecue has been a staple food of the south for as long as anyone can recall. Not only does barbecue taste good but it helps bring people together to enjoy a special occasion or to just have dinner together. In this essay I will give a general definition of barbecue, tell a brief history on it, discuss the various styles of it, and explain why it’s so popular in the South. What is barbecue? According to the Merriam Webster dictionary the term “barbecue” has multiple definitions .The first definition that we are most familiar with is; to roast or broil on a rack or revolving pit over or before a source of heat. The second definition is the social gathering especially in the open air at which barbecued food is eaten (Merriam Webster). While you are familiar with both of these, barbeque defines a true southern summer meal that unites everyone. When you come to the south and ask for a plate of barbeque you usually will receive pulled pork , hash with rice, potato salad with a side of hot sauce and homemade BBQ sauce to smother your meat in. Better yet, you may receive ribs that are rubbed down and smothered in homemade barbecue sauce. The origin of barbecue in the south goes back to when the civil war was in session. There was an abundance of hogs which were easy to take care of and they were cheaper to raise than the other animals. So, as a result the soldiers used them for food .To get the hogs ready for consumption the farmers let them r... ... middle of paper ... ...be a mixture of sweet and spicy sauce. What makes barbecue so popular in the South is the fact that the food is typically cooked outside. When the people inhale the aroma they come together and unite for a cookout or any special event. The food reflects the southern American culture through the various ways it is served. For example, a person who is typically used to eating Tangy South Carolina barbecue will more than likely have a hard time trying to adjust to the taste of the Sweet Memphis barbecue style. Works Cited Butler, Stephanie. "Lip Smackin’ Good: Southern Barbecue." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 02 Aug. 2013. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. Dove, Laura. "The History of Barbecue." The History of Barbecue. The University Of Virginia, n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2014. Goldwyn, Meathead. "The Story of Barbeque." Amazingribs.com. N.p., 12 Feb. 2012. Web. 07 Mar. 2014.

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