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Chinese Food History Overview |
Many scientists believe that Chinese
food
history dates back to the Peking Man which started using fire for
cooking about 400,000 years ago. Others claim that Chinese cuisine was
established during the Chinese stone age when people began to produce
noddle and to cultivate rice.
Chinese food history is remarkable for its variety. Almost each Chinese
Dynasty introduced some new innovations, enriching unique Chinese food
history. Thus, the Zhou Dynasty is responsible for the appearance of a
such well-known Chinese
food tradition as chopsticks, and the Qing Dynasty is
associated with most of today's Chinese food
popular dishes. Another feature of Chinese food history
– stir-frying (a famous Chinese food
cooking technique) was created during the Tang Dynasty to
conserve valuable fuel.
Chinese food history has a deep philosophical background which
influenced Chinese
food recipes, cooking
tips and menus.
Thus, in Chinese culture preparation of food is considered not just a
craft but an art. Most Chinese food popular dishes require special
experience and talent of the chef, however many of them were much
modified for western Chinese
food restaurants.
Some Chinese food history experts think there are two basic
philosophies that had the biggest effect on Chinese food –
Confucianism and Taoism. After Confucius standards of etiquette food is
cut into small pieces before being served, and there should be no
knives on the table. The followers of this Chinese food history
movement propagated harmony during both cooking and eating.
Taoism which had also a great influence on Chinese culture, and
particularly on Chinese food history, focused on such important
concepts as healing powers of food and its healthiness. In this way,
the Chinese discovered that using ginger as a garnish is a good remedy
for upset stomach and cold.
Nowadays people are attracted both by Chinese food exoticism and its
medical aspects. According to Chinese food history specialists, Chinese
cuisine has never been so widespread as it is today.
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