Common Foods The Chinese people take grains as their staple food, with various animal foods and vegetables as supplements. The basic dietetic structure is in sharp contrast with that of the peoples in western countries and the Tibetan and Mongolian peoples in China.
The Chinese people have three meals a day. The combination of the staple food, dishes and beverages in their three meals a day shares certain common ground, yet with a series of particular features due to the different geographical, climatic, economic, productive and living conditions.
Staple Food: Rice and wheaten food are two major types of the staple food of the Chinese people. In the southern and northern areas where paddy is planted, rice is the staple food; while in areas where wheat is planted, wheaten food is the staple food. Besides, other crops, such as maize, broomcorn millet, grains and yams, are supplements to the staple food in different areas.
Special Foods for Festivals:
Mid-Autumn Festival: Moon Cake
People in different parts of China have different ways to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. But one traditional custom has definitely remained and is shared by all the Chinese. This is eating the festive specialty: cakes shaped like the moon.
Moon Cake is the ubiquitous fare at any celebration of this traditional festival, not only because of its delicious taste and charming looking, but also for the cultural and artistic connotation. Nowadays, moon cakes with their various flavors and delicate packaging actually have become a kind of artwork. People can also get artistic pleasure while enjoying the food.
Festival: Jiao Zi & Nian Gao
The Spring Festival is the oldest and most important festival in China, celebrating the earth coming back to life. It is a day filled with special events, foods, and festivities. People from north and south have different habits about the food they eat on this special day.
Among the food most popular in the south of China is a rice pudding called Nian Gao; while in the north, the special food for Spring Festival is Jiao Zi (or dumpling).
Dragon Boat Festival: Zong Zi
The Dragon Boat Festival (or Duan Wu Festival in Chinese) is on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. It is a day to remember the great poet Qu Yuan, who was a loyal official in the State of Chu in ancient China and deeply loved by his people.
Since that time, it has been customary on this day to eat Zong Zi (glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves) as a memorial to the patriotic poet. |
