Chinese cuisine is the true reflection of the rich Chinese
culture. Chinese table manners and the ware they use to dine is
clear indication of the relationship between the Chinese culture
and cuisine. For example Chinese consider it bad to use knife or
fork as tableware. They believe knife and fork represent violence
and hence is against the principles of Confucianism (Confucius
emphasized on the love for humanity). Therefore chopsticks are
used, which represent gentleness and compassion. Even most Chinese
dishes are prepared in smaller pieces, so that are easy to pick up
with chopsticks.
Chinese cuisine is popular around the world. There would be
hardly any region in the world untouched by the influence of
Chinese cuisine. There are many regions in China, which have their
own specialities. Some of the popular Chinese cuisine comes from
Sichuan, Guangdong (Cantonese cuisine) and Hunan.
Sichuan Cuisine: Also known as Szechuan Cuisine, this
cuisine comes from the Sichuan province of China and is popularly
known for its spicy and pungent flavor. Sichuan is located in the
west of China. The Sichuan Cuisine emphasizes on the use of spices
with chilli as an important ingredient. Among other ingredients,
the cuisine makes use of garlic and ginger. Stir frying, steaming
and basting are the common methods of cooking in Sichuan Cuisine.
Beef is quite common in Sichuan Cuisine as compared to other
cuisines of China. Some of the common Sichuan dishes are Chengdu
Chicken, Smoked Duck, Twice Cooked Pork, Kung Pao Chicken and Mapo
Dofu.
Cantonese Cuisine: Coming from a region called Canton in
the Guangdong Province in the south of China, the Cantonese cuisine
is a popular Chinese cuisine around the world. Unlike Sichuan, the
Cantonese Cuisine uses less hot spices like chilli. Steaming,
stir-frying, braising, stewing, roasting and deep-frying are the
popular methods followed in Cantonese cooking. Some of the common
Cantonese dishes are Steamed Sea Bass, Dim Sum, Roasted Piglet,
Shrimp Wonton Noodle Soup, Pork Rind Curry, Steamed Fish and Dace
Fish Balls.
Hunan Cuisine: Also called as Xiang Cuisine, Hunan
cuisine is a combination of cuisines from Xiangjiang region,
Dongting Lake and Western Hunan Province. Hunan is located in the
south east of China. Hunan Cuisine is amply rich when it comes to
the number of dishes it has. There are about 4000 dishes in Hunan
cuisine out of which 300 are quite popular. Hunan Cuisine is more
spicy and hot as compared to Sichuan Cuisine. Hunan cuisine makes
liberal use of chill peppers, garlic and shallots. Some of the
popular Hunan dishes are Sweet and Sour Chicken, Orange Beef,
Dongan Chicken, Perrery and Hot Chicken, Lotus Seeds in Sugar Candy
and Crispy Duck.
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