Authentic Chinese Food Is A Perfect Healthy Diet For Many People
Today, among the entire population of the world, Chinese food holds a special place in their hearts and palate. In almost all major cities and even smaller communities of the world, you can find a Chinese restaurant. What are the origins of Chinese food? Why is it so popular? Is Chinese food healthy?
The Origins of Chinese Food
Unlike most cultures in the world, the Chinese culture believes that preparing food should not be only a craft but an art form. Food and dish preparation techniques are integral parts in the art of cooking Chinese food. These foods are difficult to develop and require the skill of a highly experienced chef. If, for example, you want a noodle dish that’s tasty and delectable, then you need someone with lots of practice and skill in noodle pulling.
The two major philosophies of Taoism and Confucianism have greatly influenced how Chinese food is prepared and cooked; they actually have influenced almost all aspects of Chinese culture in a very deep way. Both philosophies are also responsible for the way the Chinese people enjoy their food.
Chinese Food and Taoism
Taoists are more interested in the health benefits of certain foods as opposed to how they are presented. They are looking for foods that can help boost their longevity and health as well as foods that possess healing qualities. These foods, a lot of times, were deemed to possess ‘life giving powers’. Ginger, for example, considered a condiment or garnish was seen by the Chinese to be an effective remedy for colds and upset stomachs.
Chinese Food and Confucianism
The Chinese philosopher Confucius was the one who created norms for appropriate table etiquette as well as for the taste and appearance of Chinese food. One of Confucius norms’ was that before serving the dish, the food needs to be sliced into small bite size pieces. This is a tradition only seen in Chinese culture.
According to Confucius, setting knives at the food table is deemed to be a sign of very poor taste. He also believed that the right combination of condiments, herbs, and ingredients will determine the taste and quality that would lead to an ideal combination of flavor. Confucius was also interested in color and texture of a dish. He recommended that food harmony must be considered in the preparation and consumption of food. It’s interesting to note that Confucius also believed that to be an excellent cook, one must also be an excellent matchmaker.
The Importance of Health in the Preparation and Consumption of Chinese Food
Some consider authentic Chinese food to be the healthiest food in the world. Chinese restaurants that do not serve authentic Chinese foods usually cook and serve their food with unhealthy quantities of animal fat or with highly saturated fats. Since they serve unhealthy and inauthentic Chinese foods, these restaurants are not recommended by us.
Authentic and healthy Chinese foods are always cooked with poly-unsaturated cooking oil. They are not served with dairy products such as cheese, butter, or cream. Meat is included in Chinese foods but it is not served in large quantities. For many, authentic Chinese food is a perfect healthy diet.
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