Influences on Traditional Culture Environment Because traditional culture is generally low-technology these societies have to pay a lot more attention to environmental conditions than we do. Examples of this can be found in traditional foods, housing styles etc. Traditional Culture and Food China - traditional southern Chinese food is served with rice because in southern China the climate is warm and humid and they can grow rice most of the year. However, in northern China it is much drier and colder in the winter. Northern Europe dairy products - milk, cheeses, butter etc.
Many cultures refuse to eat certain foods.
For instance, in North America we traditionally refuse to eat insects, which are a valued source of protein and actually considered a delicacy in many parts of the world. Religion Mediterranean - world wide wine production. However, there are many parts of the Mediterranean that have ideal environmental conditions but do not produce wine - specifically Turkey, and most of North Africa. This is because these countries are Muslim and alcohol consumption is illegal. In general the wealthier a society is the more selective it is about its protein sources.