Here's a philosophical question for ya: why, as humans do we always want HOT FOOD?

Question

like, its not even really good for us. but in books, all the time, they're all, it was nothing fancy, but it was hot, and stuff. when we come home late, in the rain, all we want is a hot shower and a hot meal and hot cocoa, in that order. Why? where does this habit come from? why do i find raw gormet do bland and and distasteful? i don't even really consider salad to be a main course, because it's raw! I love beef!!! love it love it, love it. even when i see it all raw and bloody. I still love it. Why? in the Garden of Eden, there were no steaks, no hambergers, not spagettii with meatballs. so, why do humans love meat? why do we want it hot, juicy, and RIGHT NOW?

Answer 1

I hope I do this question justice, because it's really a good one; let me go out on a limb and speculate.

It seems like we do just about everything we can to differentiate ourselves from the rest of the kingdom: we put on clothes (ever see a chimp sporting the latest Gucci?), we build houses of worship (what church does your cat go to?)...and we like to fry it up.

Sure, we like hot food, but something wild is right underneath that. As far as I know, no other creature cooks. And that's interesting. "Man, the animal that cooks" - how's that for a definition? That we could even think of cooking set us apart. You'd think one of the other animals would've figured it out by watching us. Heaven knows they've had plenty of time to watch and learn.

Cooking is one of our ways of asserting our humanity. Not consciously, maybe it's just symptomatic. Even if you toss a salad, you're not just chomping on a head of lettuce. You're *doing* something with it - washing the lettuce, tearing it, chopping tomatoes and cukes, etc. And serving it up in a *bowl*. Hot food's just the next step in that direction. Even if it's beans & rice.

Answer 2

I believe the psychological need for warm/hot meals stems back to the early hunter-gatherers. When the hunters killed an animal, they would often eat it raw, shortly after killing it. The animal, ( I'm assuming it was a mammal) would have warm flesh. Therefore, warm food would have a positive connotation. Later, after man discovered fire, they would cook their meats. Thus, when the meat was warm it was thought to be just of the fire. That would give people the idea it was fresh. Now obviously fresh = good.
And to address why humans crave meat, it is mainly because of the fat content. Meat contains fats and proteins which are good for postponing hunger, and giving the consumer more energy. Notice how fatty foods taste good. That's because it is instinctive that having fats equates to life, not starvation. Lettuce doesn't taste good because it lacks the fats our bodies could not get enough of in primitive times.

Answer 3

You know, you have a really good point there. Yes, after reading your question I could definitely go for a steak or some shawarma.

But sometimes, sometimes cold food works out alright too. You know, like potato salad or maybe on a hot hot day you could go for some cold fruit salad.

But in general I think you're right. I don't know, maybe hot foot digests easier, since the temperature in our stomach is pretty hot. All this talk of hot food is starting to get me hungry by the way.

Answer 4

warm food IS comforting, when you are cold comming in from the rain or in the winter you want something that is relaxing and calming such as hot coco. In the summer often times you want something cooler. Warmer foods are often comfort foods and are packed with flavor. So more flavorful foods taste better. huan love meat because it provides all of the proteines and vitimins for a healthy life. Along with the iron for survival. It is also delicious.

Answer 5

A 2008 Corvette Stringray!

Answer 6

It's summertime--I want salads, ice cream, cold fruits, cold drinks, etc. It's certainly too hot to be eating stew or soup.

I guess, to some, the idea of a hot bath, a hot meal, and a hot beverage represents comfort. Fine, for the cold winter--even early spring and late fall--but not summer.

(Personally, I never want anything too hot--I like things medium--not burning my mouth).

Answer 7

Personally I don't like anything hot. I prefer warm food and shower temp of about 100 F which is very cool by most standards.

Actually hot showers have been known to trigger MS.

Answer 8

Hmmm.... I'm not sure that ALL humans want these things. I'm sure if you live in a really warm environment you want COLD things. You probably would want a cold meal, a cold shower, a cold... anything!

As for meat... humans are animals and our basic instinct is to survive which means we are evolutionally trained to not miss any opportunity to eat in case we can't eat later.

Answer 9

In the past women, such as yourself, who wanted hot, juicy meat RIGHT NOW had more children and thus were selected for. All these lesbo vegetarians will eventually not have enough children to replace themselves and go away. So more power to you honey! I'm behind you all the way.

Answer 10

Because bacteria does not thrive in hot food, and in spicy food the spice is used to prevent bacteria from growing; that is why spicy food is eaten in hot climates, like southern India.

This is not an area of expertise for me, but this is what I have heard from others and know to be true.