What is “Chinese Cuisine”
Chinese cuisine is a broad term that encompasses the diverse culinary traditions of China and its diaspora. Chinese cuisine has a long history, rich variety, and profound influence on many other cuisines in the world.
Chinese cuisine is characterized by its attention to color, aroma, taste, meaning, and appearance. Chefs use various ingredients, seasonings, and cooking techniques to create dishes that are pleasing to the eye, nose, mouth, and mind. Chinese cuisine also reflects the cultural, geographical, and historical diversity of China, as well as the dietary preferences and habits of different regions, religions, and ethnic groups.
Some of the common features of Chinese cuisine are:
The use of rice, noodles, soy products, and tea as staple foods.
The use of chopsticks and a wok as utensils.
The use of stir-frying, steaming, braising, and boiling as cooking methods.
The use of sauces, spices, herbs, and condiments to enhance the flavor and aroma of dishes.
The use of fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients to ensure the quality and nutrition of dishes.
The 8 Regions of Chinese Cuisine
Chinese cuisine is often divided into eight major regional cuisines, each with its own characteristics, specialties, and flavors. These are:
魯 Shandong Cuisine: Originating from the northern coastal province of Shandong, this cuisine is known for its fresh and salty taste, and its use of seafood, vinegar, and scallions.
川 Sichuan Cuisine: Originating from the southwestern province of Sichuan, this cuisine is famous for its hot and spicy taste, and its use of chili, garlic, ginger, and Sichuan peppercorns.
粵 Guangdong (Cantonese) Cuisine: Originating from the southern coastal province of Guangdong, this cuisine is popular for its sweet and light taste, and its use of seafood, dim sum, and soup.
蘇 Jiangsu Cuisine: Originating from the eastern coastal province of Jiangsu, this cuisine is praised for its soft and tender texture, and its use of braising, stewing, and steaming techniques.
浙 Zhejiang Cuisine: Originating from the eastern coastal province of Zhejiang, this cuisine is appreciated for its fresh and mild taste, and its use of seafood, bamboo shoots, and mushrooms.
閩 Fujian Cuisine: Originating from the southeastern coastal province of Fujian, this cuisine is distinguished by its sour and savory taste, and its use of seafood, soup, and vinegar.
湘 Hunan Cuisine: Originating from the central province of Hunan, this cuisine is renowned for its hot and sour taste, and its use of chili, vinegar, and smoked ingredients.
徽 Anhui Cuisine: Originating from the inland province of Anhui, this cuisine is notable for its wild and natural taste, and its use of wild herbs, game, and bamboo。
Main Chinese cooking techniques:
Stir-frying: This is the classic Chinese cooking method, where ingredients are quickly cooked over high heat in a wok with a small amount of oil and seasonings. Stir-frying produces dishes that are crisp, tender, and flavorful
Steaming: This is a healthy and simple cooking method, where ingredients are cooked with steam in a bamboo steamer or a pot. Steaming preserves the natural color, texture, and nutrients of the ingredients, and makes them taste fresh and moist
Deep-frying: This is a cooking method that involves immersing ingredients in hot oil until they are golden and crispy. Deep-frying can create a variety of textures and flavors, such as crunchy, chewy, or soft
Braising: This is a cooking method that involves simmering ingredients in a small amount of liquid, such as sauce, broth, or water, until they are tender and infused with flavor. Braising can make tough cuts of meat or vegetables soft and succulent
Red cooking: This is a special type of braising that uses soy sauce, sugar, and spices as the braising liquid. Red cooking gives the ingredients a reddish-brown color and a rich, sweet, and savory taste. Red cooking is also known as hóngshāo (红烧) in Chinese
Tips on how to enjoy Chinese food:
Chinese cuisine is not only delicious, but also fun and interesting to explore. Here are some tips on how to enjoy Chinese cuisine:
Try different regional cuisines and dishes to experience the diversity and richness of Chinese cuisine.
Use chopsticks to pick up food and bring it to your mouth, or use a spoon to scoop up soup and rice.
Share dishes with others and sample a variety of flavors and textures.
Drink tea or water to cleanse your palate and aid digestion.
Be adventurous and open-minded, and don’t be afraid to try new and unfamiliar foods.
I hope this blog post has given you some insights and inspirations on what is Chinese cuisine and how to enjoy it. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to let me know. Thank you for reading and happy eating!
