中国饮食

Preface

The Origins of Food and Drink Culture

Tracing the Origins of Foods

Foods from Outside China

Fine Ware for Eating

Food and Drink Traditions

The Good Cheer of Eating Together

The Taste of Home Cooking

Seasonal Delicacies

Interesting Food Customs

The Rituals of the Table

Balancing the Five Flavours

Secrets of Delicacies

Food and Health

Food Taboos

A Gastronomic Tour of China lO3

The True Pleasure of Drinking Ones Fill

The Art of Tea

Wine, the Beverage of Romance

New Dining Trends

Appendix: Chronological Table of the Chinese

Dynasties

When it comes to food, the Chinese have a common saying, “The massesregard food as their heaven,” which means that food is peoples primalwant. It should clearly justify the importance that“eating” holds in Chinesepeoples lives. Eating is not just meant to fill the stomach； having foodat ones disposal, being able to consume a good amount of food, andknowing what and how to eat are all viewed as a good “fortune.” Thosewho promote food culture often use the words of Chinese philosopherConfucius,“diet and love-making, all primal needs of every human being,”finding an aspiring and positive thought basis for such an epicureanlifestyle. Today, in this world where even the farthest corners can seem asclose as ones back yard, Chinese food can be enjoyed in each and everymetropolitan throughout the world.