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There are a lot of incredible and strange foods featured in the Star Wars universe. Food is used to help build the Star Wars universe and create a grounded galaxy. In the movies and TV shows, food is used to help build the personalities of some of Star Wars' most important characters.
It's easy to get distracted by the lightsabers, Force abilities, planets, alien races, and amazing lore of the Star Wars galaxy, but what these characters eat and the indigenous foods of these places are all too often overlooked. Good worldbuilding relies on fundamental elements in every aspect of the franchise, and this includes food and drink. A smart series can use these elements to frame its characters and use them as tools to create a great story.
Although it may seem like the audience ignores what food actually is in the Star Wars galaxy, that doesn't stop storytellers from using this tool as a means to communicate important themes. These moments blend into the background, but they subconsciously build the characters and tell the audience who they are and what they represent. Food contributes greatly to the story. The following analysis should shed light on these important techniques used in Star Wars. After all, food can be the lens through which the audience judges everything.
The Star Wars universe is full of rare delicacies
These food and drink examples give you a taste of galactic life
Some of the first scenes featuring Star Wars protagonist Luke Skywalker feature food and drink.
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Firstly, there are so many types of food in the Star Wars universe that have appeared in past stories. Some stand out because they were featured in scenes with minor characters. For example, the root leaf stew that Yoda makes for Luke is considered disgusting to him. Or maybe it's the blue sweets that Grogu munches on at school. From the scene where Chewbacca roasts the porgs to the jelly fruit guarded by the Younglings in Young Jedi Adventures, there are some dishes and ingredients that stand out. It's interesting to see how food has evolved through the ages, from the lavish meals of the High Republic that audiences are only just beginning to get to know, to the rationing that was implemented during the Galactic Civil War. Just like in the real world, foods are categorized into taste groups and vary from planet to planet. What is disgusting to one species may turn out to be a rare delicacy to another.
Seafood such as the tentacles of Jedha and the fish of Arto symbolize the sustainable livelihoods that many species were forced to rely on, and street food is showcased in locations such as the market in Mos Espa. Many times, food blends into the background but provides a backdrop to the ongoing adventure. Dexter's Diner serves up instantly recognizable fast-food style cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere, though it may be greasy. When it comes to drinks, the Star Wars galaxy is also home to many. Green and blue milk may taste odd, but a visit to the Mos Eisley Cantina or the bar in Canto Blight will allow audiences to see the variety of alcoholic drinks available. Not to mention drinks such as café, which also doubles as coffee in Star Wars. Admittedly, many may not immediately remember the foods that have appeared in Star Wars, but this extensive list of examples should immediately bring to mind other foods and show how important these edible elements are. Future Star Wars projects, such as Rey's next film, will surely continue to showcase the food and drink of the galaxy, but the question is why.
Food plays a vital role in life in the Expanded Universe
Worldbuilding is shaped by what people eat
Some foods that appear in the Star Wars universe also exist in the real world, like chocolate.
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The foods listed above are just those that have appeared in animated and live-action shows and movies. However, the scope of use of these dishes extends beyond just what the audience sees on screen. In comics, books, audio dramas, video games, and the Legends timeline, food plays a pivotal role in world-building. The differences of planets, local cultures, and unique cuisines all give the world life and vibrancy. In these formats, there is much more time to explore the people and places these characters interact with, making food a key tool in bringing realism. Whether it is in the characters’ regular routine or the introduction of a new location, food has played a perfect role. There are foods that are mentioned in the Legends continuity but have not yet appeared in the canon, providing context and background to areas unique to the pre-Disney world. It’s not easy to build a world, but it’s interesting to see how food is used in this way to differentiate between ideas explored in both iterations of the timeline.
Thus, food is used to underpin fictional cultures, with festivals celebrating certain cuisines and specific dishes designed to tie in with certain events. Other sci-fi worlds such as Star Trek have also relied on these tools in the past, but the detail that went into curating these taste, smell and look dishes makes any fan want to travel and experience these foods for themselves. That world-building lends itself well to the physical attractions that Disney has created. Galaxy’s Edge and other similar theme park areas feature foods and drinks from the Star Wars galaxy for fans to try and get a feel for the tastes and textures. Only fictional worlds that have done consistent, quality world-building can create believable recipes based on the foods and drinks that appear in those worlds, and the very existence of Galaxy’s Edge is a great sign of how this particular landscape thrives in that realm. So overall, food is an important part of the world-building of any fictional world, and Star Wars imbues the cuisine that appears with great history, tradition, culture and diversity. But food also says something about the characters who prepare and eat it in Star Wars storytelling.
Food is used to create characters in movies and TV shows
Storytellers use this tool to communicate important themes
There are very few scenes in Star Wars where characters cook.
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Thematically, food is a very useful tool to add depth and context to characters. There are numerous examples of how the Star Wars universe utilizes these techniques without the audience knowing. For example, Lando attempts to prepare a lavish meal for the Empire, highlighting his financial prosperity, power, and showmanship. In comparison, Rey is forced to live on a meager amount of bread, representing her poverty and daily struggles. Luke Skywalker is depicted as a farmer living a simple life. His back-to-basics lifestyle is reinforced by drinking blue milk. Even the Mandalorians who travel from system to system to learn more about the galaxy are depicted trying different specialty dishes and being open to new experiences and flavors. Or Cyril Kahn's bland and boring meals speak to his obsession with duty and lack of drive. Time and time again, food is relied upon to add these wrinkles to the characters' personalities. The audience doesn't look very closely, so they may miss what these moments are trying to convey.
The next time fans watch a Star Wars show or film or dive into the expanded universe, they should pay attention to the foods and drinks included and what they say about the characters and the world. Some of the best stories told in this galaxy rely on these tools and props, which unconsciously enhance the overall experience. Star Wars aficionados may be intrigued to cook some of these recipes themselves, but it is important to remember that many of these foods are highly dependent on the characters' situations. All the factors that influence real-world cooking, such as local ingredients, available resources, and classic cooking techniques, also influence the cooking of the Star Wars universe. Whether it's the clones trying to survive on basic war rations or the political elite of Coruscant feasting before a debate, the attention to detail is just one of the many reasons Star Wars has lasted so long.
Star Wars
The original trilogy follows Luke Skywalker's heroic rise as a Jedi and his fight against Palpatine's Galactic Empire alongside his sister Leia. The prequels explore the tragic past of his father, Anakin, who was corrupted by Palpatine and would become Darth Vader.
Produced by George Lucas
Latest movie “Star Wars Episode 11: The Rise of Skywalker”
Originally aired on November 12, 2019
Cast: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Hayden Christensen, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Ian McDiarmid, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Rosario Dawson, Pedro Pascal
Where to stream Disney+
Comic Star Wars: Revelations
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