Global culinary trends highlight Indian naan and American apple pie traditions

Recent culinary recognitions and traditions highlight diverse global flavors. In the TasteAtlas Awards 2025/2026, butter garlic naan was named the best bread in the world, receiving a score of 4.53 out of 5. This traditional South Asian flatbread, typically prepared in a tandoor oven, outperformed other international varieties such as Italian focaccia alla Genovese and Colombian pan de bono.

In the United States, a long-standing tradition involves serving apple pie with cheddar cheese. Particularly popular in New England and the Northeast, this practice dates back to the 19th century and has roots in British culinary customs. The salty, sharp flavor of the cheese is used to contrast the sweetness of the apples, cinnamon, and buttery crust, with a thin slice of cheddar often placed atop a warm slice of pie to allow it to soften.