Over several millennia of history, China has developed a specific food system that is very different from the European one. And if you want to get to know the Chinese lifestyle better, start by understanding what and why they eat.
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The Chinese diet has historically been very diverse. The basis of the Chinese diet was and remains rice - without it, not a single meal is held. Rice is cooked either in a saucepan or in a special rice cooker. Also, rice can be fried or ground into flour, from which special noodles are prepared. Wheat products are also popular in the northern regions. Traditional European bread is rarely eaten in China, but based on wheat flour, they can make pie dough or noodles.
Properly cooked Chinese rice becomes quite sticky and is similar in consistency to sushi rice.
The Chinese actively consume a wide variety of meat - chicken, duck, beef, lamb. Pork is also popular almost throughout the country, with the exception of the Muslim enclaves. Various exotic types of meat, such as dog meat, are consumed only in special restaurants and do not end up on the everyday table.
Until recently, the Chinese practically did not consume dairy products. However, the trend is gradually changing - more and more citizens are trying to eat in a European way, which increases the demand for milk and previously unpopular cheeses.
Spices and seasonings also play a special role in Chinese cuisine. Rice is served with soy and sweet and sour sauces. Also a very popular spice is red hot pepper. Its use and the degree of pungency of food varies by province. One of the hottest local cuisines is Sichuan.
Of the oils in China, sesame is the most popular. Sesame is also used in batter and as a component of confectionery.
Chinese feast
If you've received an invitation to eat with the Chinese at the same table, it's best to know what to expect. In China, the meal is collective to a much greater extent than in Europe: all dishes are served on the table at once or in several changes, when it comes to a gala dinner. Bowls with treats are placed all over the table, and everyone puts on their plate as much as necessary. Often, a Chinese person can mix 2-3 servings of different dishes in one plate.
Most Chinese people continue to eat with chopsticks, but standard European eating utensils can be found in many homes.
What will be served to you largely depends on the season and the occasion of the feast. Spicy and hot dishes are most often reserved for winter. At the same time, there are also classic dishes for various holidays. For example, for the Chinese New Year, almost every family prepares dumplings with various fillings - shrimp, pork with vegetables, poultry.
