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 Irish Food
Ireland is known for its hearty and comforting dishes. Potatoes, meat, and cheese are all common ingredients in its cuisine. Four of the five countries with the most similar food speak Germanic languages. Furthermore, their climates are relatively cool. With the exception of Austria, these countries have a lot of coastline, so fish are included in many of their typical meals.
- United Kingdom ruled Ireland for many years and their close proximity has fostered many culinary similarities between the two nations. Ingredients like potatoes, carrots, and dairy products feature prominently in both cuisines. Traditional dishes like roast dinners, shepherd’s pie, and the iconic fish and chips are commonly eaten in both nations. Additionally, the their typical breakfast is similar as well.
- Austria and Ireland are both predominantly Catholic countries. They both often incorporate potatoes into their dishes. However, one difference is that Ireland tends to have more seafood in its diet, since it is not landlocked. Bananas and apples are the two most commonly eaten fruits in these nations.
- Germany and Ireland also have similar food. Irish stews and German stews like Eintopf are both warming, slow-cooked dishes. Potatoes and cabbage are staples in both Irish cuisine and German cuisine as well. In addition, both pork is the most commonly eaten meat in these nations.
- Sweden‘s food culture shares many parallels with Ireland’s. Both nations appreciate the value of preserved foods. Swedish dishes like smoked salmon and meatballs resonate with Ireland’s fondness for fish, pork, and beef. Offals are commonly eaten in both cuisines as well.
- France is another predominately Catholic country that borders the Atlantic Ocean. Like Ireland, Brittany has many Celtic people. In France, dishes like rustic cassoulet and coq au vin are similar to Irish stews. Moreover, the French passion for cheeses mirrors Ireland’s heavy consumption of dairy products. Moreover, like most European nations, both have a strong tradition of bread-making.
Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to Ireland
The Least Similar Cuisines to Irish Food
Unsurprisingly, the countries with the least similar food to Ireland are all located in close proximity to the equator, so their climates are much hotter. This affects what type of crops are grown in these countries. These five countries tend to be much less developed than Ireland as well.
- Chad is a landlocked, predominately Muslim country in Africa. Sorghum and millet are the two most commonly consumed grains there. These crops are well adapted to the Sahel’s harsh hot and arid climate. Peanuts and sesame seeds are also common parts of the country’s cuisine.
- Central African Republic borders Chad. Cassava and yams are two of the most commonly eaten ingredients in the country. Furthermore, taro and bananas make a much greater share of the diet in Central African Republic than Ireland.
- South Sudan is another landlocked country in Africa where sorghum is one of the staple foods, however the country eats a lot of cassava as well. Porridge is one of the most popular dishes in the country. However, they are not completely different. Both Ireland and South Sudan eat a significant amount of beef.
- Micronesia is a group of small islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It relies heavily on seafood, tropical fruits, and root crops as a result. The country’s relative isolation has limited its exposure to foreign influences. Micronesian cuisine tends to focus more on the natural flavors of ingredients.
- Sierra Leone‘s food is extremely different from Ireland’s. It is a predominately Muslim, so the country eats significantly less pork and bread. The vast majority of the nation’s diet is made up of starches, such as rice and cassava.
Related: The 10 Least Similar Countries to Ireland
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
Ireland’s Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Pork, Chicken
Fruit: Banana, Apple
Vegetable: Carrot, Tomato
Starch: Wheat, Potato
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.
In fact, although Great Britain is mostly Germanic (with some French influence thrown in), there are many Celtic-speaking people living in the UK. For instance, Scots, Welsh people, Cornish people, Northumbrians, and Manx people are all heavily related to the Irish.
6.) SWITZERLAND and Ireland are cultural melting pots, so they wide variety of different ingredients in their cuisines. In fact, there is some evidence in that many Celts lived in what is now Switzerland, giving the birth of the La Téne culture. Both have a strong tradition of dairy production. Swiss cheese varieties, such as Emmental and Gruyère, are well-known globally. Similarly, Irish cheeses like Dubliner Cheddar and Cashel Blue are popular as well. Furthermore, potatoes are especially popular staples in both cuisines.