Everything You Need To Know About Chinese Food
Who doesn’t love Chinese cuisine? It is one of the most popular cuisines of the world that is adored by all. Weekends and holidays are dedicated to eating and cooking Chinese food. But authentic Chinese food is something that you can get only in China. In every other part of the world, the culture and eating habits of that place influence and change the Chinese food.
Still, if you love Chinese food and want to make authentic food, you should know more about this cuisine. Like most other things, Chinese food is also a significant piece of Chinese pillar. The royal choices, diverse background, preference of choice, and along historic background plays a significant part in making every Chinese dish.
So, here are a few facts you should know about Chinese food because knowledge is power.
Fact 1: Chinese food is both fattening and healthy depending upon how you cook it
A lot of people wonder whether Chinese food is healthy or fattening? And the question is right as well because a lot of times we see Chinese entrees to the desert which are fried and full of fat. But that depends on how you cook it and where you eat it from? If you eat authentic Chinese food, you would know that it has tons of healthy vegetables with less or no amount of sugar or milk. That restricts the inclusion of carbohydrates in it, making it healthier.
But if you eat it in the west, it has tons of fattening products. So, it depends on the people making it. Here are more facts that you should know about Chinese food being fattening or healthy.
Fact 2: The Chinese dishes are dictated by tons of superstitious
When it comes to Chinese dishes, a lot of superstitions and traditions backs it. There are certain dishes that you cannot eat at a particular time of the day or year. They have a day in the year when you can eat it so that you get tons of good luck.
Fact 3: China has five main flavour, but it does differ from region to region
Every Chinese dish has five flavours which are key to its taste. They are sour, salty, sweet, bitter, and spicy. But then again, you would not find the same type of flavour in every part of China. For example, if you happen to be in HongKong, then you would find cuisine which will be sweet. But in the Sichuan region, you would come across cuisine which is spicy and will numb you.
Fact 4: Chopsticks have a deep meaning in Chinese culture
Chopsticks are not only for eating food in China (no one uses forks or knives). But it also has other lots of taboos and superstitions attached to it. For instance, it is considered good luck to gift chopsticks to newlyweds to bless them with kids soon in some areas of China.
Other taboos that Chinese people associate with chopsticks are:
- Never point it towards others as it means that you are disrespecting them.
- If you tap on the table with a chopstick, it is a sign of begging. So, never do it.
- Sticking chopsticks on your food is wrong. Most people do it only at the altar to pay their respect to dead people.
Fact 5: Chinese people love to eat twice the amount of vegetables
When it comes to food, Chinese people love to eat twice the amount of vegetables and fruits. It increases their fibre intake, which means that their bowel movement also increases. Weird but a fact about Chinese eating tradition.
Fact 6: They love their meat and produce fresh
In China, no one likes to eat canned or frozen food. They are willing to go to the market every day to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.
Fact 7: Rice is not a staple in every Chinese region
A lot of us believe that Chinese people love to eat rice with every dish. While it may be true for some regions, the colder regions of China are more dependent on wheat and wheat products.
Fact 8: Soup is the last part of the dish
In most countries, soup is an entrée, but Chinese people drink it in the end. It aids in digestion, so it is the last part of their meal.
Did you know about these food facts of China? So, the next time, you have a Chinese food day with friends and family, do not forget to spring these facts on them.