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International Cooking: A Culinary Journey, 2E. Chapter 11 China. History. Creating harmony and balance in the foods leads to harmony and balance within the body and spirit. Yin-Yang Five Elements tsai-fan. Various dynasties ruled from 1766 B.C. until 1911
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International Cooking: A Culinary Journey, 2E Chapter 11 China
History Creating harmony and balance in the foods leads to harmony and balance within the body and spirit. • Yin-Yang • Five Elements • tsai-fan
Various dynasties ruled from 1766 B.C. until 1911 • Chinese believe foods cure diseases and are the key to good health and longevity • Harmony and balance in foods leads to harmony and balance within the body and spirit
From 600 to 900 A.D., physicians started recommending • whole grains • sparse amounts of meat • herbs and spices for flavor and medicinal properties
Confucius (551 to 479 B.C.) • father of northern Chinese cooking • stressed eating foods in season • said people should eat fresh foods • cut meats and vegetables into small pieces • recommended proper preparation, cooking methods, and condiments for recipes • encouraged moderation in eating
Topography • third largest country in the world • diverse topography • desert • mountains • fertile farmland • subartic to tropical climates
Cooking Methods • Frying • Stir-fry • Deep-fry • Steaming, poaching, boiling
Chao orStir-frying • saved the scarce cooking fuel • small pieces of food cook rapidly over high heat requiring less cooking time [and fuel] • stir-frying preserves the texture of food • stir-frying retains valuable nutrients
Regions • North • long, cold winters and dry, arid conditions • simple cooking • lots of wheat and millet
East • most population • large cities • mild weather • South • lots of rice • most sophisticated dishes • Center and West • spicy dishes
Cuisine • Grains are the most important type of food followed by vegetables. • Consume lots of vegetables and fruits. • Cooks add small amounts of meat and seafood to vegetables.
Lots of attention to the balance of flavors, colors, aromas, and textures in food. • The contrast between soft and smooth foods, hard and crunchy, salty and sweet, etc. creates the highly prized balance and harmony.