In ancient China, venison was once a favorite delicacy of the royal family and nobles, and its status was comparable to today's beef and pork. Nowadays, however, venison no longer seems to be a popular ingredient on the table, so what is the reason why venison is gradually disappearing from the public eye?
1. The glorious history of ancient venison.
Royal Exclusive: Since the Shang and Zhou dynasties, venison has been regarded as a royal delicacy. According to historical records,At that time, the state had a special agency responsible for the hunting and management of deerfor royalty. During the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the royal hunting grounds spread all over the country, among which the royal hunting grounds in Fufeng, Shaanxi, covered an area of thousands of miles, and it was conceivable that venison was on the royal table at that time.
Aristocratic taste: In addition to the royal family, the ancient aristocracy also highly prized venison. According to the records of "Qi Min Yaoshu", the scholar class at that time used the consumption of venison as a status symbol, and even feasts with venison as the main ingredient appeared, such asDeer Singing Feast".
Gastronomic culture: The development of ancient culinary techniques has provided a wide space for the production of venison delicacies. Traditional dishes such as "roast venison" and "stewed venison" have been retainedThe original taste of venison, and has a unique delicacy. These delicacies are not uncommon in the poems of ancient literati and have become one of the representatives of ancient food culture.
2. The modern causes of the decline of venison.
Venison has a poor taste: Compared to other meatsVenison has a certain fishy smell and is easy to accept if it is not handled properly。At the same time, venison has a lower fat content during cookingThe requirements for heat and seasoning are highThis undoubtedly adds to the difficulty of cooking in the modern fast-paced lifestyle. In contrast, beef, pork and other meats are more accessible in terms of taste and cooking methods, so they are more popular with the public.
The social climate has changedIn modern times, Western food culture has gradually been introduced into China, beef, pork and other meats have become the mainstream, and venison, which was loved by ancient nobles, has gradually lost its market. In addition, withThe collapse of social hierarchiesVenison's status as a status symbol is also declining.
Backward breeding technology: Compared to domestic animals such as cattle and pigsThe technical requirements for deer breeding are highIt is not easy to promote on a large scale. In the period when the modern aquaculture industry has not yet developed, it is difficult to meet the market demand for venison.
3. The value of venison.
The value of venison is better reflected in other aspects. Deer antlers, antler velvet and other deer products have a highMedicinal value, known as a good nourishment. With the development of science and technology, people have become more and more in-depth in the research and development of deer products, making venison no longer the only deer product**. In addition, deer by-products such as deer skin and deer tendon also have a high level of deerEconomic value。In today's market, the demand for deer products is still strong, but venison is no longer the protagonist.
From being popular in ancient times to gradually withdrawing from the public eye, the history of venison reflects the changes in China's history, culture and ecology. The deer's value in other ways has allowed it to retain a certain market in modern society. Although venison is no longer as beautiful as it was in ancient times, its unique status still deserves our attention.