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Tastes, geography and culture

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  • Colson-Sihra, Eve
  • De Sousa, José
  • Mayer, Thierry

Abstract

Does geography shape tastes? This paper investigates the geography of tastes using French household surveys from 1974 and 2005. We propose a two-step method: first, we estimate regional tastes using a structural demand system; then, we compute bilateral taste differences and link them to geographic distance. The 1974 results provide evidence of ‘gravity in taste’—that is, geographically closer regions have more similar food tastes. By 2005, this geographic pattern has largely disappeared. However, tastes are not homogenized. Regional diversity persists, with differences in taste determined by sociocultural similarity rather than geographic distance.

Suggested Citation

  • Colson-Sihra, Eve & De Sousa, José & Mayer, Thierry, 2025. "Tastes, geography and culture," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:juecon:v:150:y:2025:i:c:s0094119025000658
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jue.2025.103800
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    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • R10 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - General
    • Z10 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - General

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