A
cuisine ( ; from
French , in turn from
Latin coquere "to cook") is a style of
cooking characterized by distinctive
ingredients,
techniques and
dishes, and usually associated with a specific
culture or geographic region. A cuisine is primarily influenced by the ingredients that are available locally or through trade.
Religious food laws, such as
Hindu,
Islamic and
Jewish dietary laws, can also exercise a strong influence on cuisine. Regional
food preparation traditions, customs and ingredients often combine to create dishes unique to a particular region.