Introduction
Food categorization is something we often take for granted. We classify dishes based on ingredients, cooking methods, cultural origins, or even just personal preference. Is it breakfast, lunch, or dinner? Is it Italian, Mexican, or Thai? Is it healthy, indulgent, or somewhere in between? These are the questions we typically ask when trying to understand and describe the food we consume. However, there exists a far more playful and arguably more insightful method of classification: the food cube rule.
The food cube rule, born from the depths of internet humor (think Tumblr posts and Reddit threads), offers a refreshingly absurd perspective on what makes a food “what it is.” It asks us to consider the fundamental shape of the food, treating each dish as a three-dimensional object to be analyzed geometrically. And the categories it posits are simple: is the primary component of the food a cube, a line, a plane, or a point?
This, of course, isn’t a scientific rule, nor is it meant to be taken with deadly seriousness. The food cube rule is more of a whimsical thought experiment, a fun way to spark conversation and challenge our preconceived notions about food. But beneath the humor lies a subtle truth: the form of a food does indeed influence our perception and experience of it. While not perfect, by considering the food cube rule, it provides a surprisingly insightful way to understand the different forms food can take.
Explaining the Food Cube Rule
The essence of the food cube rule rests on a simple principle: the classification of a food is determined by the dominant shape formed by its primary ingredient or components. Forget ingredients, preparation techniques, and flavor profiles for a moment. All that matters is the form. Let’s delve into the different categories.
Salad
The cornerstone of the food cube rule, and the origin of its name, is the cube. If the main component of a dish primarily takes the shape of a cube, it’s classified as a salad. Note that this doesn’t necessarily mean the food literally forms a perfect cube; it refers to the presence of cubed ingredients as being dominant. Think of classic examples: potato salad, where diced potatoes reign supreme; fruit salad, with its colorful array of cubed melons, grapes, and other fruits; or even a chopped vegetable salad, bursting with cubed cucumbers, tomatoes, and bell peppers. The key is that the cubed elements are essential to the dish, not merely added as a garnish.
Toast
Moving on from the three-dimensional to the one-dimensional, we arrive at toast. According to the food cube rule, anything primarily exhibiting a linear form falls into this category. Generally, this means the food is layered atop a relatively long, thin base – a slice of bread being the most typical example. Avocado toast, with its mashed avocado spread across a toasted slice of sourdough, exemplifies this perfectly. Similarly, peanut butter toast, cinnamon toast, or even a simple slice of bread topped with butter all fit neatly into the toast category. The linear shape is the defining characteristic.
Sandwich
The next level up is the plane. If the defining ingredient primarily forms a plane, it is a sandwich. Envision two slices of bread enveloping a filling. That’s the essence of a sandwich. This encompasses a wide array of culinary creations, from the humble turkey and Swiss on rye to a more elaborate panini pressed between two slices of focaccia. The “plane” concept can also be expanded to include foods where a filling is nestled within a larger, sliced piece of bread. Therefore, a sub sandwich qualifies as a sandwich under the food cube rule. The critical element is the flattened filling being enclosed within two (or sometimes one, folded) layers of bread, forming a plane.
Sushi
Finally, sushi represents the point. The single grain of rice is small and considered the singular focus. This category represents the simplest form, characterized by small, discrete components.
Examples and Applications
Now, let’s put the food cube rule into practice with a few more examples. Pizza, a culinary staple enjoyed worldwide, presents an interesting challenge. Is it a sandwich, with its toppings spread across a base of dough? Or is it something else entirely? According to the food cube rule, a pizza probably fits more closely with the “sandwich” categorization, where the cheese, sauce, and toppings form the filling layer, even though its shape is circular rather than rectangular.
A burrito, with its tightly wrapped filling of rice, beans, and meat, is a fascinating case study. Some might argue it’s simply a “rolled sandwich,” adhering to the planar concept. Others might contend that the cylindrical shape disqualifies it. It requires the filling to be the main component in order to be classified.
Consider a taco. The filling is open and exposed on one side, rather than being fully enclosed. This, some might argue, removes it from the “sandwich” category and places it into a category of its own. But some may consider the taco to be a sandwich as well.
Even seemingly simple foods like cereal with milk can spark debate. Is the cereal the primary component, forming a collection of smaller, somewhat defined shapes? Or is the milk the dominant element, enveloping the cereal in a liquid mass? The classification will likely depend on the proportions of cereal to milk.
Limitations and Criticisms
Of course, the food cube rule is not without its limitations. The most significant criticism is its inherent subjectivity. What constitutes the “primary component” of a dish is often open to interpretation. Is it the ingredient that comprises the largest volume? Or the ingredient that contributes the most flavor? The answer will vary depending on the food and the individual making the assessment.
Cultural differences also play a crucial role. A dish considered a staple in one culture may be entirely foreign to another. The food cube rule does not account for these variations.
Furthermore, there are numerous foods that simply don’t fit neatly into any of the predefined categories. Soups, stews, and smoothies, for example, are liquid-based dishes that defy the cuboid, linear, planar, or point-based structures. What about foods that are spherical? Meatballs? Gumballs?
Ultimately, the food cube rule should be viewed as a playful thought experiment, not a rigid framework for classifying cuisine.
The Popularity and Appeal of the Rule
Despite its limitations, the food cube rule has gained considerable traction online, becoming a popular meme and a topic of lighthearted discussion. Its appeal lies in its simplicity, its humor, and its ability to encourage debate. It takes something as mundane as food categorization and transforms it into a source of amusement and intellectual curiosity.
The rule is also easily shareable. Visual aids, such as diagrams or infographics, can quickly convey the core concepts, making it accessible to a wide audience. The food cube rule’s meme-worthy quality makes it viral.
Conclusion
The food cube rule, while not a definitive guide to gastronomy, offers a unique lens through which to view the food we eat. It prompts us to consider the shape and form of our meals, challenging our conventional understanding of food categories.
By treating food as three-dimensional objects, the rule encourages us to think creatively and critically about the culinary landscape. It reminds us that food is not just about ingredients and flavors, but also about structure and presentation.
So, next time you’re eating something, pause for a moment and consider: Is it a cube, a line, a plane, or a point? The answer may surprise you. And even if it doesn’t, you’ll have engaged in a bit of playful, food-related fun.
