Archive for category Drink & Food
Manchu Han Imperial Feast
Posted by sharon in Drink & Food on December 14th, 2009
Manchu Han Imperial Feast is regarded as the greatest achievement of Imperial Court Food. It is also one of the most luxurious feasts in the Chinese food history. Not counting fruits and desserts, it contains at least 108 courses, including 134 hot dishes and 48 cold ones.
It appeared during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and became prevalent in Guangxu reign period (1871-1908). It is said that in order to further integrate the Manchu and Han Nationality, emperors of the Qing Dynasty promoted the combination of the Manchu Banquet and Han Banquet.
The feast was designed only for emperors. In ancient times, only the imperial family and meritorious officials had the chance to enjoy the feast. It was so great that it was always divided into six meals which could last three days. As one of the most luxurious feasts, it contained all kinds of delicacies, including camel’s hump, bear’s paws, monkey’s brains, ape’s lips, etc.
Nian Gao
Posted by sharon in Drink & Food on October 15th, 2009
Nian Gao, also called rice cake or year cake, is a kind of Chinese food made from glutinous rice. Traditionally, Nian Gao is the main cuisine during the Chinese New Year, but now it is eaten all the year round.
The traditional Nian Gao is round with a auspicious decoration such as the character for prosperity on its top. It can be made by various methods, however, the main ingredient is the glutinous rice. It is also divided into a few types, such as Shanghai Nian Gao, Cantonese Nian Gao, etc.
It is believed that one will have good luck in the next year if he eats Nian Gao during the Chinese New Year. It also implies promotion or prosperity year by year as Nian Gao is a homonym for “higher year by year” in Chinese.
In ancient times, a small piece of Nian Gao would be pasted on the image of the Kitchen god before the Chinese New Year. Ancient Chinese believed that by doing so, the Kitchen god would give a favorable report on the household as when he speaks the ill of the household, the cake would stick his mouth.
Chopsticks
Posted by sharon in Drink & Food on October 4th, 2009
Chopsticks, also called kuaizi in Chinese and Zhu in ancient times, are small tapered sticks used in pairs of equal length while eating. They are usually 9 to 10 inches long and rectangular with a blunt end. It has a long history in China which can date back to the Shang Dynasty (1600 BC – 1100 BC).
Chopsticks are made of a variety of materials, such as bamboo, plastic, metal, bone, ivory, etc. Chopsticks made of bamboo are the most popular ones as they are inexpensive, readily available and easy to split. It was believed that silver chopsticks could detect poisons in food because silver would turn black if they came into contact with poisoned food.
Originally, chopsticks were a substitute for knives at the table. Confucius believed that knives signified the acts of aggression, so chopsticks were used at the table. Later, the use of chopsticks spread from China to present-day Vietnam, Korea, Japan, etc.
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