those are the cultures that have taken the product to a higher level. just like tomatoes are native to the americas but they are considered a natural part of Italian food.
Haven't American's taken baseball to a higher level?
Burgers? (Even if you and I hate them...somebody had to have bought the over 100 billion McDonalds hamburgers worldwide)
(I prefer Dutch apple pie though :yesyes: )
Tomatoes are considered a natural part of many foods. Italians are not the only people who can rightfully associate themselves with tomatoes, are they? (What about the Spanish and their delicious gazpacho?
La Tomatina Tomato Fight in Bunyol? The Mexicans and their salsa?) "Higher level" is very subjective and even if it can be agreed upon this should not disqualify others (such as the Spanish - or Americans for that matter) from claiming their own right for their particular adaptation. Taste in tomatoes, apple pie, wine, burgers is quite subjective.
If the subjective "higher level" standard is what is required to make the claim then fine. But I was responding to marquis2 who was wondering why Americans use that famous phrase
when the items did not originate there.
I was pointing out that there is a double standard in that "point of origin" is not a requirement others / other countries are forced to justify when claiming an association to an item or product that they have influenced, improved, or happily adapted.
