Creating A Meal To Honor The Historically Harmonious Flavors Of Chinese Cuisine!

A History Lesson In Creating Harmonious Chinese Cuisine

Unlike any other cuisine in the world, Chinese cooking has found a place in just about every corner of the globe. Especially in recent history, Chinese cooking methods and recipes have become quite popular. This trend may be due to more access to ingredients and cookware via online shopping, or it may be due to an increasing desire to eat healthier. But, many believe it is really due to the desire to create more harmony in our lives.

No matter what the reason, the appeal of Chinese foods has become widespread. People in all walks of life have shown a desire to learn more about how to create and serve delicious, harmonious Chinese meals. To understand the harmony of Chinese cuisine, let's glance at a few moments in history.

Centuries ago, foreign trade within China started to influence the lives of the people. You would think this influx of foreigners would greatly change the way Chinese people cooked. However, the culinary arts were so deeply rooted in the hearts and minds of the people, the cuisine remained constant.

Foreign trade and the introduction of different foods didn't affect the cooking methods as much as one might think. As a matter of fact, ancient trade routes across China may have introduced foods into Chinese cuisine, but those foods were quickly assimilated into Chinese cooking so well that you wouldn't even know they used to be foreign.

Even though there are thousands of years of history forming Chinese cuisine, the basics remain pretty much untouched. As early as 1800 BC, archaeological digs discovered cutting tools and large pots similar to woks were being used. Spices and seasonings along with soy sauce, rice wine, and vinegar were used in complicated cooking methods long before Confucius was born.

Once Confucius was born and started teaching his philosophy  - the importance of harmony in life - Chinese cooking took on an almost ritualistic quality. Multiple levels of sweet, sour, salty, savory, and bitter foods were used in a variety of cooking methods and heat levels to bring together into one meal the complexities of the flavors and textures the earth offered. This cooking method, this ritual of creating harmony out of the vast complexities of flavor, is as comforting as it is delicious.

Today, Chinese cooking has embraced this theory, creating meals that touch all the senses, blending foods into one harmonious dining experience. With that in mind, you can see why Chinese cuisine is so desirable today.

As the world becomes more complex, our senses long for comfort and harmony. Chinese cuisine offers just that. So, now it's time to gather a few recipes and have fun creating a meal to honor the historically harmonious flavors of Chinese cuisine!