U.S. food culture demonstrates significant cultural convergence, as global cuisines blend into mainstream American life. For example, hummus, once a regional Levantine dish, is now mass-produced and consumed nationwide in forms that merge Middle Eastern traditions with American snack culture. Similarly, falafel has evolved into wraps and grain bowls, showing how U.S. consumers adapt global foods to fit fast-casual and health-conscious trends.
However, there is also cultural divergence, as immigrant communities preserve traditional recipes and meanings to maintain identity. Kabsa, for example, remains primarily within Gulf Arab and South Asian enclaves, where it retains its ceremonial role in Eid and family gatherings. This balance between convergence and divergence shows that globalization in food is not about losing identity, but about coexisting. Sharing tastes can connect people across cultures while still honoring their origins.