Need a topic for my 'Food and Culture' anthropology class. Help!

[AmandaCross]

Hey friends!

I'm taking this Anthropology of Food class this semester (sounded fun, and I like eating, so I thought why not). It's actually super interesting, but now we have to write a final research paper and I am STUCK.

The prompt is super broad: "Examine the cultural significance of a specific food, ingredient, or culinary practice in a community of your choice."

Like... that's it. That's the whole prompt. My professor is very "follow your passion" which is nice but also terrifying because I have too many options. Analysis paralysis much?

Here's what I'm considering so far, but I need help narrowing it down or finding a fresh angle:

1. Avocado toast and millennial culture (feels kinda basic and overdone, but also interesting how it became a symbol of "wasteful spending"?)
2. The cultural history of bubble tea (I'm obsessed with boba, and it's huge in Asian diaspora communities, but is that too obvious?)
3. Thanksgiving dinner and American identity (again, feels basic, but maybe I could look at how immigrant families adapt it?)
4. Sourdough during the pandemic (the whole "everyone became a baker" thing, but idk if that's anthropology or just... recent history)
5. Food deserts in urban communities (this is more serious, and I care about it, but maybe too political for this class?)

My professor said we need to connect it to at least three anthropological concepts like ritual, identity, globalization, commensality (eating together), etc.

I really want to pick something I won't hate writing 12 pages about. Does anyone have experience with food anthropology topics? What worked for you? What was a total flop?

Also, if anyone has done bubble tea, please tell me if it was good or if I should run away from that idea

I'm also open to literally any suggestions. Throw them at me! I'm desperate and my deadline is approaching faster than I'd like to admit.