by Jessica Wong, CBCNews.ca

On Canada Day, many will take a moment to ponder what defines our country.

The Dominion Institute — the national, charitable institute that thinks about this issue year-round — has started the ball rolling with its national survey of Canada's cultural touchstones (unsurprisingly, perhaps, finding the maple leaf to be our defining symbol).

Heading to a friend's BBQ on Sunday afternoon, I laughed as a local rock radio host riffed on the survey and polled his listeners on "Who would make Canada's ideal rock 'n' roll ambassador?" (He eventually chose Neil Young).

When you think about it, this brand of patriotism can extend to every avenue, including the food world.

For instance, two Canadian bloggers have called on their blogosphere colleagues and readers to answer the following: "Which foods and drinks — savoury or sweet — say 'Canada' to you?"

The question put out to food bloggers and readers: What foods or drinks say 'Canada' to you? (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press).

"Is it the first meal you had when you landed at Pearson? Can it be found in the handwritten notes your grandmother brought with her when she docked at Pier 21?" asks Jasmine of the blogs Confessions of a Cardamom Addict and Sensual Gourmet.

"What about the local food co-op that brings local, organically grown food to its members? Do the memories of the meat pies, smothered in gravy at your hometown's little ma and pa diner immediately spring to mind? Do you think Canada tastes like one of our many craft breweries or wineries?"

Both Jasmine and fellow blogger Jennifer of The Domestic Goddess will post their compilation of entries, of course, on July 1.

Unlike the other lists, I get the feeling that these two round-ups will be less about winning or losing and more about celebrating memories and stories.

Personally, I'm looking forward to being introduced to new "tastes" — or perhaps being reminded of classics — that will make me proud to be Canadian.