Rising food prices change eating patterns

Actually, one purpose of that survey was to look at "the degree to which western diets – at least as an aspiration - have spread across the world." .
>While national dishes are prominent in most countries – paella in Spain, adobo in the Philippines, schnitzel in Germany, biryani in India – in almost all countries, pizza, pasta and chicken are the favourite food of many. The exceptions are the low income countries in Africa, where traditional diets featuring maize meal in various different forms continue to hold sway.

I've been meaning to do an OP on that part of the survey.

You spelled persnickity wrong.

I want to know why rich Westerners are willing to pay so much for things like quinoa.

or paying for spuds grown under glass?

I want to know why rich Westerners are willing to pay so much for things like quinoa.

Perhaps in part because they're rich?

If poor Westerners were willing to overpay for things, that would be more interesting.

You spelled persnickity wrong. Very witty, Niner! And ye should be rewarded...

(Oh! Note the etymology of your reward )

I want to know why rich Westerners are willing to pay so much for things like quinoa.

I think Vinny is right but I believe that the locals can no longer afford the quinoa they produce since worldwide prices have rocketed because rich Westerners are buying so much of this alleged superfood. (I tried it myself after asking about it on here a wee while back - but I still prefer the texture of bulghar wheat.)

Quinoa's Global Success Creates Quandary at Home
>Now demand for quinoa (pronounced KEE-no-ah) is soaring in rich countries, as American and European consumers discover the “lost crop” of the Incas. The surge has helped raise farmers’ incomes here in one of the hemisphere’s poorest countries. But there has been a notable trade-off: Fewer Bolivians can now afford it, hastening their embrace of cheaper, processed foods and raising fears of malnutrition in a country that has long struggled with it.

So you're saying that the rich Westerners are deliberately trying to starve the Bolivians. ;-)

Well, they've no oil - might as well starve them as slaughter.

Anyway, when the quinoa fad ends, they're done for if they have become hooked on Hostess Twinkies in the meantime.