Canada’s national identity is defined by diversity and multiculturalism. We strive to celebrate differences and encourage the education of history outside of our own, and that means the definition of Canadian cuisine can be hard to nail down.
With the ever-changing landscape of immigrants who bring their influences to our culinary scene, and the traditional Indigenous techniques of Canada’s first inhabitants, our food history is an evolving tapestry of unique tales well worth sharing.
Leading up to Canada Day, we’re taking a glimpse into some of our great nation’s colourful food and agriculture tales; some you’ve heard before, and others that go beyond poutine, maple syrup and BeaverTails.
Canadian food DYK: Nova Scotians pay homage to Acadian culture with their unusual delicacy, rappie pie
This Acadian dish looks odd to those unfamiliar with it, but tastes delicious
Canadian food DYK: Spruce tips is one of the most popular ingredients to cook with in Yukon
While the first vegetable that comes to mind from the mention of Yukon may be the Yukon Gold potato (which was actually developed in Guelph, Ontario), it’s actually spruce tips that captures the imagination of chefs and cooks in the area.&nbs
Canadian food DYK: Restaurateur Seigo Nakamura helped introduced the aburi technique to Canada
Did you know Vancouver's Miku popularized the aburi sushi technique in North America?
Canadian food DYK: Government provides food subsidies for isolated northern communities
How the Canadian government aims to improve food security in northern communities
Canadian food DYK: Canada ranks as the fifth largest agricultural exporter in the world
For more than 100 years, Canadian scientists have been working at developing crops adapted to the harsh Canadian environment. And sure enough, it has paid off.
Canadian food DYK: Old Dutch Chips started their snack food takeover in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Did you know Old Dutch's roots are in Winnipeg, Manitoba?
Canadian food DYK: A former Whitehorse Mayor and Senator is the keeper of 121-year-old sourdough starter
Long-time Yukoner Ione Christensen has lived an incredibly accomplished life.
Canadian food DYK: Original Cactus Club Cafe location still in its original design state
Cactus Club's original location in North Vancouver is a cool throwback to the restaurant chain's beginnings
Canadian food DYK: The quintessential Canadian cocktail was created in Calgary in 1969
Over the past 50 years, the Caesar has become synonymous with Canadian food and drink culture
Canadian food DYK: The Chinese green onion cake is touted as Edmonton’s unofficial dish
Siu To, now known throughout Edmonton as “the green onion cake man”, came from northern China and started his first restaurant in 1978.
Canadian food DYK: Canadian ice cider unique to Québec's Eastern Townships
Ice wine isn't Canada's only celebrated "ice" beverage
Canadian food DYK: Saskatchewan is the largest exporter of lentils
Canada is the world’s largest producer and exporter of pulses, the edible dried seeds of legume crops (dried beans, chickpeas, lentils and dried peas), making up 35 per cent of the global pulse business.
Canadian food DYK: Vancouver's Hidekazu Tojo created the California roll and popularized the "inside-out" sushi technique in North America
How chef Hidekazu Tojo of Vancouver rolled his way to becoming a part of culinary history
Canadian food DYK: Montreal is home to the oldest brewery in North America
Whether you love or hate its beer, Molson Coors' Montreal brewery is worth taking note of
Canadian food DYK: Tide Head, New Brunswick is the fiddlehead capital of the world
This teeny village in New Brunswick dubs itself the fiddlehead capital of the world
Canadian food DYK: Prince Edward Island grows and harvests over 40 million pounds of mussels a year
Prince Edward Island mussels are recognized as some of the best in the world
Canadian food DYK: Canada's most elevated tea time happens at the Lake Agnes Tea House
Climb a mountain for afternoon tea just outside of Lake Louise
Canadian food DYK: Chef Rob Feenie was the first Canadian to win Iron Chef America
How the Vancouver chef conquered in the American franchise of Iron Chef back in 2005
Canadian food DYK: Canada’s royal whisky, or rather, rye
Find out how Canadian rye got its "crown", so to speak
Canadian food DYK: Eagle’s Eye Restaurant in Golden, B.C. is Canada's highest elevation eatery
Have dinner above the clouds at Eagle's Eye Restaurant, located at the top of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Canadian food DYK: Canada is a leader in the wild blueberry industry
Did you know Canadian-grown blueberries are a valuable and plentiful commodity?
Canadian food DYK: Prairie-grown mustard seeds are used around the globe
Who knew that our Canadian mustard seeds were such globetrotters?
Canadian food DYK: The not-so-tropical beginnings of Hawaiian pizza
Love it or hate it, Hawaiian pizza is a Canadian creation
Canadian food DYK: Peanut butter was invented by a Montreal pharmacist
Bet you didn't know that your favourite spreadable nut butter was invented in Canada
Canadian food DYK: The donair is the official food of Halifax
In Halifax, donair is king when it comes to the city's most iconic food
Canadian food DYK: Canada’s lobster industry is valued at more than $1 billion annually
Atlantic lobster is a highly profitable Canadian commodity that is shipped around the globe
Canadian food DYK: The world’s first 100 per cent Indigenous-owned winery is located in Kelowna
Two descendants of the Syilx people own and operate the world's 100 per cent first Indigenous-owned winery in the Okanagan valley
Canadian food DYK: Iqaluit is home to Canada's most northerly brewer, Nunavut Brewing Company
Off to Nunavut we go for a taste of Canada's most northern microbrews
Canadian food DYK: Ginger beef was invented in Calgary in 1975
Discover the origins of the famous Canadian dish, ginger beef
Canadian food DYK: Québec is producing the world’s first…tomato wine?
Is the world's most unique wine produced in Quebec?
Canadian food DYK: The Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market is the oldest farmers' market in North America
New farmers' markets are always popping up in communities, but this historic one is definitely worth a visit.
