What Do Chinese People Usually Eat in Different Regions?

1. What do Chinese people usually eat in different regions?

Northerners are said to eat 'anything with four legs' as their markets contain everything from dogs, cats, wild cats, to pangolins and snakes. They literally eat everything that the land has to offer. No animals are safe from this regions people. The Lower Yangtze Basin people live in a region of rice but with wheat being more important than in the south. Fish and shellfish play a large role in their diet. Lard, sugar, rice-wine, and vinegar are used in cooking and eating. Freshness and simple tastes are highly prized. Western China is the land of hot spices. Since 300B.C it is recorded that these people were using pepper and spices to heighten the flavor of their foods.

2. How is Chinese food cooked? Why?

Steaming and boiling are the most common ways for grains and rice to be cooked. To preserve the fresh flavor of separate ingredients and as well save fuel stir frying is used. All parts are quickly cooked separately and at the end are blended and cooked together in sauces.

3. How do you understand the saying "No people know more about feasting or about the social side of eating than the Chinese"?

The Chinese use food to bring everyone together and use food at all major celebrations. Unlike the United States where only cake is used on a birthday or just drinks when families get together sometimes food is always at the center of the celebration in China. New Years, Birthdays, Holidays of all sorts always have a large meal at the center of attention.

4. Why do Chinese people know much about the leaves, herbs, and even insects?

Threat of starvation is the reason that the Chinese know so much about the leaves, herbs, and even insects. All because theses things could provide nourishment in times of severe need. This is why the Chinese have such a wide range of ingredients in some dishes is because of their curiosity and need for food during rough times.