Buzz
History is filled with instances of powerful individuals and nations settling their conflicts through warfare. However, sometimes, rather than using weapons, victories have been won through the use of food. These less familiar events, debates, festivals, and competitions all have one thing in common: food being thrown around.
10. The Corn Diplomacy
Nikita Khrushchev, the Soviet leader known for his role in the Cuban Missile Crisis, had a deep admiration for corn. He made it a primary goal to plant corn all across Siberia and even set up a corn research institute in Ukraine.
In order to better understand the corn industry in America’s Midwest, Khrushchev’s agricultural team paid a visit to the farm of Roswell Garst, a farmer who sought to introduce his hybrid corn seeds to the Soviet Union.
The Soviet officials took a keen interest, leading Garst to travel to the USSR for further discussions. In 1959, Khrushchev visited the United States and reciprocated the visit by coming to Garst’s farm.
Naturally, the arrival of the Soviet premier drew a lot of media attention, much of which Garst didn’t welcome on his property. Opting for a more mature response, he threw husks of hybrid corn at the reporters and photographers. Khrushchev found the gesture quite amusing.
Despite the efforts of corn diplomacy, it didn’t go as Khrushchev had envisioned. The soil of the Siberian steppes wasn’t as fertile as that of Iowa, and Soviet farmers struggled to adopt Garst’s techniques. In Khrushchev’s own words: “Corn was discredited, and so was I.”
9. Taiwanese Lawmaking
In recent years, the confidence of US citizens in Congress has significantly declined, as its members seem to do little but engage in arguments and gridlock. By March 2016, approval ratings for Congress had dropped to an abysmal 13 percent. However, American citizens may be even less approving of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan.
The Legislative Yuan has a history of incorporating more than just words into its floor debates. The video above captures one such instance of a full-blown floor fight, sparked by a disagreement over a trade agreement with China.
This type of behavior is quite common in the Legislative Yuan. In fact, the body is so notorious for its brawls that it was awarded the Ig Nobel Peace Prize, a humorous parody of the prestigious Nobel Prize.
Despite this history of violence, there has only been one instance of a food fight—during a debate over arms sales in October 2004. It remains unclear who initiated the altercation, but for a brief period, members of the Legislative Yuan threw their lunches at one another. Following the melee, Chu Fong-chi, a member of the opposition party, is said to have shouted, “My whole body smells like a lunch box!”
8. Tootsie Rolls
This isn’t so much a food fight, but rather a serious conflict that became centered around food during the Korean War. In the winter of 1950, US Marines and UN allied forces found themselves surrounded by the brutal cold of the Chosin Reservoir, vastly outnumbered by over 100,000 Chinese troops.
Due to a shortage of supplies, the Americans requested ammunition. The term “Tootsie Rolls” was used as a code for 60 mm mortars. In a twist of fate, the radio operator misinterpreted the message. Instead of ammunition, real Tootsie Rolls were sent from supply bases in Japan by air, much to the bewilderment of the troops.
Strangely enough, the Tootsie Rolls turned out to be quite valuable. Marines warmed the candies in their armpits, consumed them for sustenance, and even used the sticky residue to patch up their gear.
Fighting their way to the sea amidst enemy Chinese forces, the Chosin soldiers trekked along 130 kilometers (80 miles) of narrow roads, leaving behind countless Tootsie Roll wrappers in the snow of North Korea along their path.
Though they endured severe casualties—3,000 out of 15,000 troops were killed and many others were wounded—they ultimately succeeded. Many survivors believed that the Tootsie Rolls played a crucial role in their survival.
7. The Cod Wars
Britain has a long-standing reputation for involving itself in global affairs, often with force. British forces have been present in, controlled, or fought in nearly 90 percent of UN member nations. It should therefore come as no shock that the Royal Navy was called into action over a dispute involving fish.
To be fair, the British had a reason to react. Iceland, with limited natural resources on its mainland, relies heavily on its fishing industry. Fishing alone contributes at least 12 percent to the country's GDP.
After Iceland achieved independence in 1944, the nation sought to assist its fishing industry by extending its territorial waters from 5 kilometers (3 miles) to 6 kilometers (4 miles). Given that the UK is located roughly 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) away, this seemed like a minor issue. Right?
Wrong.
Britain contested the 2-kilometer (1 mile) expansion at the International Court of Justice and was ultimately forced to accept it. From there, Iceland gradually expanded its fishing zone, eventually extending it to the current 320 kilometers (200 miles). The British opposed every extension, resulting in three Cod Wars fought between 1958 and 1976.
Fortunately, both angry nations managed to prevent the situation from escalating into full-blown violence. Despite the long period of diplomatic tension and naval standoffs, each side suffered only a single casualty. Eventually, Britain was diplomatically compelled to permit Iceland to extend its territorial boundaries.
6. La Tomatina
Originating from the country known for the Running of the Bulls, Spain also offers La Tomatina, another perplexing tradition. Every year, during the last Wednesday of August, thousands of people gather on the streets of Bunol, Spain, for a massive tomato fight as part of an annual festival.
The origins of La Tomatina date back to 1945, although its precise beginnings are unclear. Some accounts suggest that the event started with an accidental tomato fight between two boys, which later grew into a town-wide celebration. Others argue that it began when locals threw tomatoes at politicians in protest.
Regardless of how it began, La Tomatina has become an astonishingly large event. In the 2015 edition, nearly 145,000 kilograms (320,000 pounds) of tomatoes were thrown. The week-long festival draws around 40,000 visitors, which temporarily quadruples Bunol's population, and in 2015, 22,000 tickets for the tomato fight were sold.
After an hour of chaotic tomato throwing, the streets are left coated in tomato paste, prompting fire trucks to come in and hose everything down. Participants are expected to clean up after themselves, with many arriving in goggles and swimsuits to make the process easier.
5. Greek Yogurt
In the U.S., Greek yogurt has become a popular healthy breakfast trend. In Greece, however, it carries a deeper meaning as a symbol of political defiance.
Back in the 1950s, a subculture of young men known as the “Teddy Boys” started the tradition of yaourtama, which involved throwing yogurt at people they disliked. Authorities were not pleased with this new custom, and as a result, Law 4000 was enacted in 1958 to put an end to it.
Law 4000 introduced a bizarre form of punishment for the youths who threw yogurt. They were subjected to buzz cuts, had their shorts ripped, and were paraded through the streets. Since the Teddy Boys took pride in their fashion-forward appearance, this punishment was intended to serve as a strong deterrent.
Although Law 4000 did reduce instances of yaourtama, it was repealed in 1983 when throwing yogurt was no longer an issue. But during recent protests over austerity measures in Greece, the practice has seen a resurgence.
For example, the BBC reported that protesters threw yogurt and stones outside the Greek Parliament building during a general strike in 2011. In the video above, a Greek newscaster is pelted with eggs and yogurt while interviewing a politician. More recently, an old man approached PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos, complained about pension cuts, and threw a yogurt at him.
Reactions among politicians have been mixed. Some are understandably upset by the practice, but some find it reasonable. Former Deputy Minister of Regional Development Sokratis Xindis once said, “The time has come for all of us to pay the price. I am ready to be thrown a yogurt.”
4. Battle Of The Oranges
In the Italian city of Ivrea, a mass of people comes together every year to celebrate a festival based on a centuries-old legend.
According to the tale, a tyrant in the 12th century exercised the controversial right of jus primae noctis—the supposed privilege of feudal lords to spend the first night with a bride before her marriage—on Violetta, the miller’s daughter. Taking matters into her own hands, Violetta beheaded the lord, sparking a popular revolt that led to the castle’s destruction.
Today, this story is commemorated every February during the Battle of the Oranges. Unlike most food fights, this event is a carefully organized ritual. Each year, a young girl is selected to portray Violetta, and a procession is held on Saturday evening in her honor.
On the following day, at 2:00 PM, armored men riding in horse-drawn carts act as the tyrant’s hated soldiers, while around 4,000 participants from various teams begin lobbing oranges at each other.
The battle lasts a remarkable three days, concluding on the Tuesday of Mardi Gras. After the fight, judges present awards to the top-performing teams. To close the event, Violetta oversees the burning of the scarlo, a pole draped in bushes. A scarlo that burns quickly is believed to bring good fortune for the upcoming year.
3. Pea Shooting
Cambridgeshire is home to perhaps the most refined food fight in the world. No one is struck by food, and nothing gets splattered. Participants line up and take turns tossing their edibles. They aim at clay targets marked with specific rings. The projectiles?
Green peas.
Since 1971, people have gathered annually to compete in the World Pea Shooting Championships. While children do take part, the primary competition is among serious adults.
The rules are simple: the gun must measure 30 centimeters (12 inches), and the pea must be shot from a distance of 4 meters (12 feet) from the target. This leaves plenty of room for innovation. Some contestants come equipped with laser-guided devices, which has sparked controversy among those who prefer traditional methods.
As pea shooting is a relatively new activity, the group of champions is still small. The most notable champion is Emma Watson, who claimed the Ladies’ Championship in 2011 and was the runner-up in 2013.
While Miss Watson has wisely chosen to stick to her main profession, some competitors dedicate themselves to the sport year-round. Ian Ashmeade, the 40th and 41st world champion, even authored a book on the sport following his 2011 victory. Sadly, one of the chapters was titled “How I Will Be 1st in 2012, the 42nd World Championship”—a hope that did not come to fruition for him.
2. Punkin Chunkin
The World Championship Punkin Chunkin likely holds the record for the highest concentration of firepower in any food fight. In this annual competition, teams battle to launch pumpkins the furthest.
More than 100 pumpkin-hurling machines are entered across various categories. The air cannons, which use pressurized air to send pumpkins flying through long, narrow metal tubes, typically achieve the longest distances. The current record for an air cannon is 1.43 kilometers (0.89 miles).
American Chunker Inc., the team responsible for setting that record, is one of the most successful in the Punkin Chunkin community. The team is made up of experts from diverse fields, including mechanical engineers and a horticulturist specializing in pumpkins. Their record-breaking shot, fired from a cannon over 30 meters (100 feet) long, sent a pumpkin hurtling to supersonic speed.
In addition to air cannons, most of the machines used in the competition are inspired by medieval designs. Some teams construct catapults, capable of launching pumpkins over distances nearing 900 meters (3,000 feet). Others use centrifugal machines, which rotate and release pumpkins much like a discus thrower.
Among the most thrilling teams are those that use human-powered machines, requiring an individual to provide the necessary energy. One team took this to an extreme by placing an unfortunate member on a hamster wheel for “two minutes of torture.”
1. Flour War
The French Revolution is often viewed as a peasant uprising against the corrupt and incompetent Louis XVI. However, Louis was stirring unrest long before the 1789 revolution.
Upon his ascension in 1774, Louis XVI appointed Anne Robert Jacques Turgot as the controller-general of finances. Turgot, a conservative economist, immediately delivered his message to the king: “no bankruptcy, no increase of taxation, no borrowing.”
Unfortunately, France wasn’t prepared for Turgot’s policies. He sought to reduce government interference by letting the free market control grain prices. This decision was made during a poor harvest, causing grain prices to soar. To add to the situation, Turgot had also sold the king’s grain reserves for cash.
The situation came to a boiling point on April 27, 1775. The previous market had sold wheat and rye at painfully high prices. However, with new supplies arriving, consumers expected prices to fall.
When prices rose by over 20 percent instead, the enraged consumers threw the merchant into a fountain and slashed the prices themselves. This sparked more than 300 riots over the following three weeks, an event that became known as the Flour War.
