BBQ Styles: some observations...BBQ Styles vary as you move across the country. This is no secret or surprise. Although there is some terrific 'cue in Georgia, Alabama, and yes, even big cities like Chicago, and New York, the talk about barbecue differences and preferences here will be limited to the major "mini meccas." But before we talk about the major styles and the regions from where they come from, here are a few observations on regional menu preferences and how they shape the 'cue in the barbecue regions, and therefore the bbq style: • Regional menu preferences come from the peoples inhabiting the regions, their races, backgrounds and histories. • Regional menu preferences come from the individual ranching patterns of that part of the country. Are pigs raised because it is easier for them to forage? • Regional menu preferences come from the indigenous trees and fuels to fire up the smokehouse and bbqs. The expression rings true: If it grows together, it goes together. • Regional Menu preferences come from the history if habitation, for example, the Carolinas and their noticeable lack of tomatoes in the bbq sauce is due in part to the fact that when the Carolinas were settled, tomatoes were though to be poisonous! • Regional menu preferences come from the fact a that in many cases the cooking style was a method to preserve the food before refrigeration, or even mask certain “off “ tastes, for example the heavy use of vinegar in the Carolinas. So, what does this all add up to? In a nutshell, like most of the great cuisines, BBQ styles are very regional, dependent upon the peoples that inhabit them, the available products, and the local economies. It also adds up to MEAT, lifted to a whole new level. Texas BBQ Recipes For Texas styles like brisket, hot guts and ribs, click here Carolina 'CueFor Carolina 'cue, whether it’s the North, the South, or the Piedmont, click here. Santa Maria BBQCalifornia? Are you serious? Well they are. And it’s Santa Maria and tri tip. Memphis style bbqTennessee 'cue means Memphis, and dry ribs among other things. Kansas City? The Barbecue mecca? It’s debatable. Return from BBQ Styles page to the bbq recipes for foodies home page
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