Canada has been named “the Best Country in the World to Live” by U. S. News & World Report, not only for its vast land mass and natural beauty, but also for its impressive cuisine.
With its stellar Michelin luxury, time-honored local traditions, a maple experience that sweet tooth can’t miss, and sustainable cuisine that represents the wave of the future, Canada has laid a solid foundation for thriving in the restaurant world, and added a fascinating touch to the country’s food culture.
Toronto and Vancouver, two of Canada’s most famous culinary capitals, have been named Michelin stars recently, bringing a variety of local cuisines to tourists from all over the world.
One of the most diverse cities in the world, Toronto’s food scene is as diverse as the city itself. With flavors from all over the world, the city’s culinary scene is a complex of cultures. Toronto’s local cuisine is extremely diverse, making it a must-see experience for food lovers. From global food and cafe-lined streets to fine dining and high-end cuisine, food carries a chef’s love of culinary art and unique insight into raw materials. They are like magicians at the helm of food, using their imaginations and dexterous hands to transform ingredients into truly delicious dishes that can be regarded as works of art.
In September 2022, the first edition of the Toronto, Canada, Michelin Guide was officially published. A total of 74 restaurants and 27 cuisine types made the guide. Among them, Saito Masaki Sushi, which has a remarkable understanding of ingredients, received two Michelin stars, Twelve restaurants received one Michelin star recommendations, including Alo, a restaurant with an innovative cuisine, Alobar Yorkville, a French restaurant with an elegant Arlo bar, and Enigma Yorkville, a mystery troupe.
After Toronto, Vancouver is an expected second Michelin Guide destination. When it comes to Vancouver cuisine, fresh ingredients and cutting-edge cooking techniques come to mind, which are reasons not to miss the city. Tasting local food in Vancouver is more than just a touch of taste buds, it is more like a global journey, diners just toss and drink, as if enjoying the beauty and splendor of the world.
In October 2022, the Michelin Guide in Vancouver, Canada was officially unveiled. High quality food is like a piece of art, through the food to convey a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Of the 60 restaurants on Vancouver’s first edition of the list, eight won a Michelin star on their first try and 12 were recommended by the Bibiden. In addition, the 2022 Vancouver Michelin Guide also announced three special awards, namely the Michelin Service Award, the Sommelier Award and the Outstanding Cocktail Award.
The restaurants on this list are different, Examples include the rustic appeal of Burdock & Co, Beijing ace Quanjude Roast Duck, Kissa Tanto with a retro jazzy flair, AnnaLena with an elegant understatement, Masayoshi Sushi restaurant with luxurious jewelry and Published on unique crops Main restaurant, strong regional flavor of St. Lawrence restaurant, etc., have become people can not miss the time.
The DNA of urban cuisine is largely tied to weather and temperature. As “delicious” cities at the top of the world’s culinary ladder, Vancouver and Toronto are must-see destinations for food lovers.
Located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto enjoys low temperatures and snow for four and a half months of the year. Toronto chefs are good at cooking hot dishes because the temperature tends to make people choose warmer foods.
However, Vancouver is located on the west coast of Canada, where the climate is humid, the seasons are like spring, and the whole ocean is within reach, so it has developed its unique “West Coast style” cuisine. Vancouver’s chefs are adept at creating seafood dishes and are particularly good at cooking local ingredients that are in season.
But both Vancouver and Toronto are renowned as “culinary capitals”, where talented chefs take care to create fine dining experiences in their excellent restaurants by creating dishes that are almost art pieces.
Canada has a rich and diverse culinary tradition, many of which are closely tied to the country’s heritage, culture and historical milestones. These traditions shape contemporary interest in the farm-to-table and enjoyment of slow food. From Banneker bread, once served to Aboriginal hunters, to actor Seth Rogen’s favorite Nanaimo sticks, Canada’s unique culinary culture is evident.
Originating in Scotland, Bannock bread evolved from fry-bread brought to Canada by explorers and traders, and it quickly became an important staple in the diet of Canada’s First Nations peoples. The hardy bread is particularly popular among the Metis people of western Canada, who swap the wheat flour favored by Europeans for cornmeal or plant material unique to the region. The bread is quick to make, easy to carry and rich in carbohydrates, providing energy for long periods of exploration and hunting, making it ideal for travel.
Nanaimo strips originated in Nanaimo, BC. A popular no-bake dessert cube, it consists of buttercream icing sandwiched between rich chocolate ganache and Graham wafers and a base of shredded coconut. The original Nanaimo bar recipe appeared in 1952 in the Women’s Auxiliary of Nanaimo Hospital. But it was when the Nanaimo Bar was highlighted as a classic Canadian dessert at Expo ’86 that its fame really soared. Today, the Nanaimo Tourism Bureau recommends visitors to the Nanaimo Bar Trail for a buffet food experience to explore the infinite delights of Nanaimo Bar macarons, Nanaimo Bar waffles, Nanaimo Bar cocktails, and Nanaimo Bar Spring rolls.
In addition, the cordon of traditional Canadian cuisine includes butter tarts (pastry filled with butter, sugar and eggs), BeaverTails (fried dough pastries), Saskatoon berry pies (made from Saskatoon berries whose sweet almond flavor perfectly matches the pastry), Montreal-style bagels (smaller and sweeter than New York bagels), They are boiled in honey water and baked in a wood-burning oven) and Nova Scotia lobster rolls (which serve tender, juicy lobster on toast). Travelers can explore the unique evolution of Canada’s long history while experiencing its own cuisine.
Sweet Maple Syrup Journey
Sweet but not greasy liquid gold
When it comes to Canadian cuisine, the first thing that comes to mind is maple syrup. In late autumn, the maple leaf is as red as sunset glow. It symbolizes warmth and sincerity, as well as sweetness and all good things. As a result, maple syrup is often used as a sweet finishing touch and is undoubtedly a sweet tooth’s favorite.
Maple syrup is considered Canada’s “liquid gold” and is made from the SAP of sweet maple trees. Canada is home to maple trees. In fact, all-natural sweeteners rich in antioxidants have been part of the cultural fabric of Canada since First Nations began harvesting SAP and boiling it to produce a strikingly sweet substance. While any kind of maple can be used (including black, red, and silver), it is sugar or hard maple that is the primary source of syrup production. Maple season begins in early spring and is especially prolific in Quebec. Maple syrup is also grown in Ontario, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, which together with parts of the United States form the “maple Belt.”
The best place to experience maple syrup season in Canada is at one of Quebec’s many Sugar houses, such as Sugar Shacks, or cabane a sucre, which are cabins built into maple trees for making maple syrup. Every spring, to celebrate the season’s harvest, a maple syrup feast is held, with golden honey infused into every dish and drink, adding a touch of sweetness to the exuberance of spring.
Natural and organic travel
Healthy food trends
Canada is a natural leader in sustainable food production because of its vast ocean and forest coverage and the abundance of natural ingredients drawn from nature. It has become a food trend for locals to put organic and natural ingredients on the table.
Canada’s oceans are a treasure trove of organic ingredients. The love for cod is so strong that in Avondale, Newfoundland, a family business called Voice of Cod runs workshops and Tours to show visitors how to hunt and fish in a respectful manner. In addition to this, Dakini Tidal Wilds offers seaweed Tours off the coast of Vancouver Island, BC, beginning each May, where participants will be accompanied by a certified Marine biologist to learn how to identify different species of local seaweed and explore ways to incorporate the nutrients it contains into daily meals.
Forests are another great source of organic ingredients. Foraging Walks in Edmonton, Alberta, offers excursions in the Boreal Forest or along the North Saskatchewan River Valley. People can explore up to 20 varieties of edible plants and fungi and learn how to incorporate each variety as an ingredient in their cooking. Gourmet by Nature will also provide visitors with the opportunity to go into the wild and enjoy foraging and dining in Nova Scotia’s wild landscape. Participants can learn how to cook game on an outdoor stove, collect SAP and turn it into maple syrup, among other things.
The organic trend of sustainable food experience has become an important part of Canadian food culture, natural organic food has become one of the most anticipated delicacies on the table.
Canada is one of the countries with the most abundant food in the United States. Immigrants from all over the world have brought different regional cuisines to Canada, which also makes Canada a representative of diversified food culture. From Vancouver to Toronto, from a centuries-old tradition to an extremely creative food paradise, travelers discover the wonderful stories of Canada by searching for food, and enjoy a unique journey of food and soul.
