“Food brings people together on many different levels. It's nourishment of the soul and body; it's truly love.”

- Giada De Laurentiis

Are there certain meals that take you back in time? Maybe the smell of pierogies frying on the stovetop reminds you of being a kid again, or perhaps the beautiful yellow of your mom's homemade mango lassi takes you back to warm summers bathing in honey-tinted light. Where do smells and flavors transport you to? Although flavors and cultural traditions differ from country to country, the act of eating and sharing a meal is something that we find to be universally relatable, allowing for people from all walks of life to connect intimately.

"Tasting Memories" encouraged individuals to dive into their cultural backgrounds to reflect on how food plays a role in our everyday lives to evoke emotions and feelings of nostalgia. For Issue Five, we invited people to explore their culture and its connection to food and share their interpretations through creative work. Feel free to check out some of our inspiration for this theme on Are.na.

Issue Five is officially out — scroll down to read the issue!