Even though one of the food phrases most closely associated with Australia is, “Throw another shrimp on the barbie,” that country actually is the world’s largest consumer of meat, on a per capita basis.
Aussies eat 198.75 pounds of meat per person per year, according to The Gannett’s Gastronomic Miscellany.
No matter how you slice it, that a lot of meat!
Per capita consumption leaders in certain other food and drink categories are a bit more obvious.
For instance, the French — who make about a gazillion different types of cheese — are the leaders in that category.
Number one in coffee consumption? Finland, where the residents drink 1,252 cups per year — that’s 3.43 cups per day. Might have something to do with the long and cold winters.
But what about wine? Which country tops the list of per capita consumption of our favorite adult beverage?
Okay, we will admit that it’s something of a trick question. So give it some thought before you scroll down to find the answer.
Meanwhile, here are a few other country leaders by category:
- Fish — Maldives
- Olive oil — Greece
- Eggs — Japan
- Sugar — United States
- Beer — Czech Republic
- Bananas — Uganda
- Tea — Turkey
Okay, your time is up. Have you figured out which country can lay claim to the largest per capita consumption of wine?
It’s Vatican City.
Hey, we told you it was a trick question. Theories for this reality range from wine being used for communion to the fact that only adults of legal drinking age live there.
We’re guessing those theories play minor roles, and that the residents of Vatican City simply understand that wine lends itself to enjoyable gastronomy and convivial conversation.
