<p>The central market of Huaraz, <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destination/peru">Peru</a>, is busy each morning with vendors crowded in and around the building. Baravelli found his way to this bread-seller by following his nose.</p>

The central market of Huaraz, Peru, is busy each morning with vendors crowded in and around the building. Baravelli found his way to this bread-seller by following his nose.

Photograph by Diego Baravelli, National Geographic Your Shot

Explore authentic food cultures around the world

Travel the world through delicious photos of its many cuisines.

Food is an ever-compelling topic. Essential to life, sure, but it does even more than sustain us: What—and how—we eat can teach us about culture, history, and society. All over the world, food anchors celebrations, ties us to the places we come from, and, for those who have moved away from our homelands, forms a treasured way to preserve culture. And for travelers, grabbing a snack from a street vendor or sipping a drink with locals is one of the best ways to experience somewhere new.

Members of our Your Shot photography community took the pictures in this gallery, which go far beyond what you might typically think of as “food photography.” The photographers lead us into a crowded market in Peru, a Doha souk, an Iranian bazaar, and an Arctic food truck. We take a seat at a family table in Portugal and connect with generations of pasta makers in Italy. Each evocative image captures a scene where food and culture collide, proving there’s at least one thing we can all relate to.

Join the Your Shot community to share a photo of somewhere that's meaningful to you.

Karen Gardiner is a travel and arts writer from Scotland. Find her at her website or follow her on Instagram and Twitter @karendesuyo.
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