In times of coronavirus we want to value the typical Chinese food, the Asian country where it all began. Although trying to summarize its great gastronomic culture is simply impossible, we are going to offer you here an interesting brushstroke of its particular recipe book. A nation with more than 1.400 million current and which has an area of almost ten billion square kilometers has always contributed great wealth to the gastronomy world. Why? Do you want to know some of their kitchens More popular? Let's go with it next!
Many are the tourists and travelers who return from this country are completely surprised, others marveled and is that the great typical chinese cuisine does not leave indifferent. As a result of the wide climatology of the country, its wide culture and its history are discovered unforgettable flavors and sensations. In this way, a gastronomy that reflects much of his way of understanding life, his philosophy, his traditional medicine and his character.
Perhaps the word that best defines this kitchen is harmony. This is sought in colors of the ingredients, in their five flavors (salty, sweet, spicy, sour and bitter). But also in complementing the yin and that. The first (the feminine side) is represented by fruits and vegetables, reflects the cool. The second (the masculine side) reflects the most forceful: fried meat, fish and dishes. Both, the fresh and the hot, must be harmonized in each preparation.
China and wild animals
In these days of Covid-19 pandemic and with its origin in ChinaLet's first tackle some of its most controversial ingredients. They are wild animals. Although not in the whole country, if it is true that there are regions where wild species are sold (sometimes even illegally) like snakes, bats, marmots, pangolins, crocodiles .... Also hundreds of dogs are euthanized to cook them. All this is the result of what they call «Yewei»Or wild taste of its gastronomy. In many of these cases there are beliefs in which these animals help to cure diseases such as gout, impotence, osteoarthritis or infertility.
Although if it is true that once cooked they do not present health problems different from other species, they can present serious problems in handling of these animals when they are alive, in their capture or if they are sold alive. In China prefer to buy live animals and slaughter them in the same market, under conditions of hygiene and health practically non-existent. This represents an added risk to a product that is later consumed in some typical Chinese food.
In addition, it should be noted that more dangerous that these animals come from the wild world, the great risk is in eating them undercooked and be exposed to them when they are alive. These hygienic standards are not met either in their sacrifice, or in transport and even, depending on what cases, or in the kitchen ... But hey, we do not want to scare you because the main delicacies that we present here do not come from the wild!
Cantonese cuisine
Due to its location, Costa is rich in seafood. In the area they do not usually use many fresh vegetables and these are made with wok or steamed. The most common meats are pork, chicken and veal. Viscera and frog legs are often used as well. In this region of Guangdong the famous is typical dim sun, a compendium of small plates with meatballs, buns, rice and pork.
Sichuan cuisine, the spicy in typical Chinese food
Perhaps what defines the most sichuan cuisine is her acquaintance pepper and it is that it reflects the spicy and spicy dishes of this area of the southwest of the country. One of the popular dishes there is Hot pot, a pot with broth that is placed in the middle of the table so that the diner can cook meat and vegetables. One of the star recipes of this kitchen is the chicken that is made with chili peppers, peanuts and Sichuan pepper. This region brings the spiciness to the typical Chinese food.
Jiangsu cuisine
As a coastal area, there is a fish and seafood gastronomy also but, what undoubtedly gives more character to your kitchen is the fact that it is located in the Yatzé river delta. The place is a great producer of rice which is mostly cooked fried with prawns or fish. He too pato It is very important in the area, especially a recipe for dry and salty duck. The most used meat in this region is from pork, Sautéed with vegetables that are mixed with the classic rice of the area.
Hunan cuisine
The one known as Gan kitchen is rich in spicy dishes made with chili peppers, garlic and ginger along with other spices. The most commonly used meat is chicken and pork. It is a strong and spicy cuisine that uses many smoked and cured.
Zhejiang cuisine
In this coastal region there is also a lot of sea flavor. Connoisseurs of its gastronomy say that it is the one that resembles more to the japanese. It is a light kitchen with dishes undercooked or raw. For its elaboration, the sauce soybean. In this area, chicken and pork are cooked using a lot of rice to accompany the typical Chinese food.
Anhui wild cuisine in typical Chinese food
In the interior of the country, what stands out is the use of wild ingredients. Among these we can highlight the bamboo, mushrooms or herbs. But also many of the meats used come from frogs, turtles and wild birds, among other species. The way of elaboration is normally with a stew, getting very tasty and filling dishes.
Fujian kitchen
Seafood abounds in this coastal area and dishes with oysters and crafting your salsa. In the area, soy sauce is also widely used and they like the Umami flavor on all your dishes. Although it has meat and fish delicious soups are made in the Fujian region. This is one of its main delicacies. For this reason, many broths when cooking other foods. It also stands out for being one of the areas where more bean sprouts and bamboo are eaten.
Shandong kitchen
Due to its coastal situation and its temperate climate, it allows them to be cultivated and integrated into your kitchen. cereals such as wheat and corn. In this way, buns and pasta are made as very typical noodles typical Chinese food and that have influenced many parts of the country. This cuisine is very elaborate with stews, toasts, fried foods and broths that enhance modest ingredients in both meat and fish.
Yunnan cuisine
In this area of southwestern China they cook hearty dishes which are usually accompanied by rice and vegetables. But for what this gastronomy is best known is for the use of milk. With milk they make cookies, buns and yogurts. Milk consumption is very rare in the asian gastronomy since its population is the most lactose intolerant. Due to their proximity to Burma, they are influenced by ingredients such as coco, sugar cane and nail.
In summary, these are the most popular cuisines in the Asian country, so if you can go (when this quarantine is over) to a Chinese restaurant, enjoy some typical Chinese food. You will be surprised by that mixture of flavors!
