New Coastie – Fingers to the fore

It’s time to talk about a tradition that has been with us for millennia – eating with our hands. It’s a practice many cultures have embraced – billions of people on the planet do it – and today, we’re going to explore the benefits of this finger-lickin good tradition. 

Now, you might be thinking the idea is disgusting, but it’s the most therapeutic and enjoyable experience, connecting us with our kai on a whole new level. Humans have been using our hands to eat since we realised we had them. I encourage you to embrace your inner ancestor and touch that food. I promise that you will feel like the first time you skinny-dipped in the ocean. And if you still haven’t skinny-dipped in the ocean while living on the Coast, I’m disappointed.

Being from Pakistan, I cannot discuss eating with hands without diving into the rich tapestry of South Asian cultures. Take a moment to imagine an Indian feast – an extravaganza of colours and flavours – and now, picture trying to navigate that culinary wonderland with a fork and knife. Instead, you can scoop up your dhal and rice, mop up the roghan josh with a piece of naan, and punctuate each bite with a spicy pickle, all using the same trusty digits.

And then there’s the ultimate South Asian hand-eating chef-d’oeuvre: biryani. To truly appreciate the majestic biryani, one must feel the moist and aromatic grains of rice on one’s fingers. It’s like playing music but with your food, each bite a note in a delightful symphony you compose as you eat.

When you eat with your hands, you’re reducing your carbon footprint, too. No more plastic implements going to our landfills, no more metal mine to manufacture forks. It’s just you and your hands, in perfect harmony with the land. It also saves time, and avoids those horrible screeching noises on the plate while cutting the steak into bite-size pieces. Just pick it up and take a bite. You will have enough time saved to take a nap before watching another boring election debate. In fact, you’ll be so satisfied that you can nap through that debate.

“But what about hygiene?” I hear you ask. You do not need to put your hands through the dishwasher for hours – you can have perfectly clean hands by the time you finish singing Happy Birthday.  

So, there you have it, the virtues and benefits of eating with your hands. It will not only connect you to your food on a deeper level but brings joy, culture and environmental consciousness to the table. Next time you’re faced with a fork and knife, put them aside and dig in. You might just enjoy it.