The answers have been tallied and the results are in: The Asia Pacific is crazy about cooking. This is one of the findings in the recent Electrolux Asia Pacific Food Survey.
The cooking habits and preferences of 6,500 men and women between the ages of 20 to 59 were studied in the recent Electrolux Asia Pacific Food Survey. Spanning 11 countries, the study both confirmed time-worn perceptions and revealed surprising facts about the region’s meal preparation habits.
Here are some highlights from the study:
Women dominate the kitchen
The kitchen is still overwhelmingly the female’s domain, with 71% of women polled in the survey indicating that they cooked most of the meals at home. They were more likely to receive help in this area from their parents – with 29% of female respondents indicating their parents helped with the cooking – as compared to their spouses (19%). Considering the next finding though, men in the region may want to step up their game in the kitchen.
The way to the heart is through the stomach… for both genders
The ability to cook is overwhelmingly considered attractive in a partner in all the countries polled, with 95% of Chinese, 93% of Filipinos and 90% of Koreans and Indonesians finding it a turn-on. This makes culinary ability an important attribute when considering relationships, whether courtship or marriage. And with the high percentage of Chinese finding a talent for cooking attractive, little wonder that they’re also the most creative in the kitchen, with 70% reporting that they enjoy creating new recipes or adapting current ones.
China spouses most helpful in the kitchen
With most finding cooking attractive and taking delight in creating new dishes, it’s only natural that the most helpful spouses in the kitchen hail from China. 67% of Chinese respondents said their spouses helped in meal preparation, while Vietnamese spouses were a distant second at 48%. The most independent cooks are located in Australia and Singapore, who are the least concerned if their partner can’t cook. Australians are also the most likely to prepare their own meals.
Indian and Vietnamese cooks most concerned with health, while the Taiwanese are the most fearless
About 94% of respondents regionally believe that they can cook and eat their way to better health. Yet, the Asia Pacific has become more daring with 42% of respondents willing to consume food past its expiry date vs. 27% in the previous survey. In these cases, the “best before” date is taken as a recommendation rather than a rule.
Specifically the Taiwanese and Australians are the most audacious, with 57% and 66% respectively consuming food past its expiry date. The Taiwanese and Chinese are the least worried about health when cooking, with only 15% and 10%, respectively indicating it was a factor. They are followed closely by the Australians with 21% of respondents factoring health into their cooking plans.
