What people probably don’t know about Chinese food culture?

What people probably don’t know about Chinese food culture?

As an International student, it is always interesting to exchange cultures with other different people, and you do not want to embarrass yourself and your culture. There is an old saying in China: “Food is the first thing for people”, this notion is one of the most important and essential idea in Chinese culture, and it cannot be changed. There are something that I think people should know but probably don’t know about the Chinese food culture.

Shared Food

This always happens on Chinese family table and Chinese restaurant, most owners like to use chopsticks to put food onto the plates of their guests, sometimes, they help each other to the dish, in Chinese culture, this is a respectful and friendly showing,

Medicinal Food

Chinese medicinal cuisine is a long and old tradition, though thousands of years. And it is developing into a practical science of nutrition. Not basing on a simple combination of food and herbs, but a specially prepared dish made from Chinese tradition herbs, food and condiments according to the theory of Chinese medicine. And used to prevent and treat diseases, improve fitness.

There is no clearly defined line between food and medicine. The relationship in medicinal dishes may be described by the “Tai-chi” symbol representing the trans table relation between Yin and Yang. The concept of yin and yang is about keeping a balance between light and dark, warm and cold. Furthermore, most of medicinal dishes could smell mixed herbs, which taste very good.

Animal Organs as Food

(Pig’s blood cakes)

Also in Tradition Chinese Medicine, we talk about “if one eats an organ of an animal, then it will be good for the corresponding organ in one’s body”, which means “you are what you eat”. The tradition Chinese medicine believe animal organs carry out similar functions in animals, so they can be used enhance weakened organs, and build health into human’s body. For example, pig’s brain is said to benefit the brain, animal’s penis considered to be aphrodisiac.

In the end, go take a try and you may enjoy the amazing of Chinese food while benefiting from the nourishment!