ABSTRACT
It was a very long time ago that humans relied entirely on raw food. Even before harnessing fire, humans may well have cooked food using hot springs, as New Zealand Maoris have until recent times; sun-drying or baking is another ancient way to alter texture and flavour. However, the mastering of fire, and cooking of food, are two characteristics which set humans apart from all other species. Very few such unique characteristics exist in all cultural settings. A sense of humour is often cited as a unique human quality, but commonly seems lacking in certain northern European settings.
