Chinese Food Essay

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The Hidden World of Chinese Food Table of Contents Title Page………………………………………………………………………………………….1 Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………………….2 Origins of Chinese Cooking Styles………………………………………………………………..3 Influence in the West……………………………………………………………………………...5 Works Cited……………………………………………………………………………………….8 Stephenson 3 Origins of Chinese Cooking Styles China is divided into four main cooking styles characterized by their regional location. Northern China’s mandarin cuisine has been heavily influenced by the creativity, ingenuity and sophistication of the imperial class that have lived in Beijing. “Mongolian influence has permeated it’s cuisine over the centuries as their cuisine has mingled with that of the ruling class and their servants” (Culinary, p54). Many Americans are very fond of various Chinese dishes. While the ingredients are not necessarily authentic, the sauces, cooking stoves and flavor combinations appeal to the American need for choices and blander flavors. This so called Chinese cuisine is not true to the authentic food of northern China. It is instead an adaptation that will appeal to the masses. Southern China’s cooking style is also known as Guangdong or Cantonese. It is known for its succulent and differing flavors. “The Cantonese cuisine is most commonly known to westerners” (Culinary, p55). Rice is the main grain of this region. The growing season is so long that there are two rice harvests per year. From the many tea rooms of this region, Dim Sum was born. Many Chinese restaurants have appetizers that reflect one or two aspects of Dim Sum. Food of Dim Sum often includes plates of steaming dumplings, pot stickers, boa, taro biscuits, and many more bite-size treats, sometimes one hundred varieties during the day’s meal. Char shu pork and smoked duck are often eaten closer to the noon meal hours. Most of

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