Traditional Pastry as a Cultural Artefact: Scoping Review on Symbolic in Global Context

Oda Ignatius Besar Hariyanto, Muhamad Zhabiyan Dwi Putra, Fahmi Muhamad Rizky, Ellysia Augris, Renza Fahlevi

Abstract


The traditional pastry represents a significant element of global food culture, functioning not only as a culinary product but also as a carrier of cultural meaning and social values. Across societies, traditional pastries embody ritual symbolism, cultural identity, collective memory, and social cohesion, expressed through diverse forms, ingredients, and consumption contexts. Despite its cultural importance, existing studies on traditional pastries remain fragmented, often focusing separately on nutrition, economics, or product innovation, while its historical and symbolic dimensions have received limited scholarly attention. This article synthesizes findings from 20 internationally reputable scholarly studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of the cultural roles and meanings of traditional pastries. The review reveals that the traditional pastries is a dynamic cultural artifact capable of adapting to modernization and globalization without fully losing its symbolic significance. By synthesizing perspectives from gastronomy, cultural studies, and social sciences, this study positions traditional pastries as a form of intangible cultural heritage that warrants interdisciplinary attention. The article contributes a unified theoretical perspective for understanding the continuity and transformation of traditional pastries within a global cultural framework.


Keywords


Traditional Pastry; Cultural Artefact; Symbolic Study; Scoping Review

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17509/gastur.v13i1.95836

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