The Country Food Similarity Index is a statistically-based attempt to quantify how similar the food in one country is relative to another. By comparing the weight of raw food ingredients used in each country, a score is assigned that reflects the degree of similarity between the respective countries. The methodology is exactly the same for each country studied.
The Most Similar Cuisines to Micronesian Food
Micronesia has a unique blend of flavors and ingredients in its food. All five countries that have the most similar diets are also situated on islands. Four of them are located in the Pacific Ocean. These countries also have tropical climates as well. As a result, seafood and coconuts make up an abnormally large part of the diet in these nations.
- Kiribati and Micronesia are both made up of groups of small islands in the Pacific Ocean. Seafood plays a crucial role in their diets. Fish and shellfish are often staples in their meals. Coconut milk, grated coconut, and coconut oil are common in their cuisines. Tropical fruits such as bananas, pineapples, and mangoes are popular there as well.
- Comoros is the only country in the Indian Ocean on this list. However, its diet has many aspects in common with Micronesia. Rice is the most commonly eaten starch and saltwater fish is the most commonly eaten source of meat in these countries. Coconut is an integral part of the cuisine in these countries as well.
- Vanuatu is a Melanesian country in the Pacific Ocean. Both Mirconesia and Vanuatu utilize an array of tropical ingredients, although the exact preparation and flavors can vary significantly. Furthermore, Tuna, Mackerel, and Barracuda are types of fish commonly eaten in these countries.
- Solomon Islands is yet another Melanesian country on this list. Starchy root vegetables like taro, yams, sweet potatoes, and breadfruit are common staples in both Solomon Islands and Micronesia. Coconut is a versatile ingredient in the cuisines of both regions. In addition, they have a strong reliance on seafood as a primary protein source.
- Papua New Guinea is located next to the Solomon Islands. Micronesia and Papua New Guinea rely on local ingredients like root crops, seafood, and coconut. Both regions employ traditional cooking techniques such as grilling and baking. However, Papua New Guinea’s cuisine reflects a more diverse cultural landscape.
The Least Similar Cuisines to Micronesian Food
All five countries with the least similar food to Micronesia are landlocked countries in Asia. These countries also have much drier climates than Micronesia, so their agriculture is far different. Their climates tend to be significantly cooler on average as well. Four of the five countries are predominately Muslim.
- Uzbekistan is a doubly-landlocked country in Central Asia. The country’s cuisine features a mix of traditional Uzbek and Russian dishes. Potatoes and wheat are two of the most commonly consumed starches in Uzbekistan, unlike in Micronesia where cassava and rice are more prevalent.
- Tajikistan is an extremely mountainous country that borders Uzbekistan. Tajik cuisine features stews, dumplings, and bread, and the extensive use of lamb and beef, in stark contrast to Papua New Guinea. The Tajik people incorporate spices such as cumin, coriander, dill, and parsley, which are not as common in Papuan food.
- Mongolia has a cold, dry climate that makes it difficult to grow crops. As a result, the country relies on animal husbandry for a large portion of its food. Mongolians tend to eat much more meat from cattle, sheep, and goats than Micronesians. They also eat more dairy products, especially yogurt.
- Turkmenistan is yet another Central Asian country that was once part of the Soviet Union on this list. Wheat, potatoes, and lamb are key ingredients in Turkmen cuisine. The country’s culinary traditions reflect the rich nomadic heritage of the Turkmen people.
- Kyrgyzstan‘s cuisine is very similar to other countries on this list. It relies on grains, meat, and dairy, while Micronesia places a strong emphasis on seafood, root crops, and tropical fruits as primary sources of sustenance.
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
Micronesia’s Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Saltwater Fish, Chicken
Fruit: Coconut, Banana
Vegetable: Peanut, Cocoa Bean
Starch: Rice, Cassava
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.
