"Heavenly Creation" is a masterpiece of science and technology in ancient China, which records in detail the production process of various crafts in ancient times. Among them, the process of making edible oil in ancient times is also recorded in detail in the book. This article will combine the records of "Heavenly Creations" to deeply analyze the whole process of ancient edible oil production, and reveal the mystery of this ancient process for readers.
1. Raw material selection and processing.
In ancient times, the raw materials of edible oil were mainly plant seeds and animal fats. According to the records of "Tiangong Kaiwu", the ancients would choose full, pest-free plant seeds as raw materials, such as sesame, soybeans, peanuts, etc. Animal fat is mainly used in pigs, cattle, sheep and other livestock.
After selecting the raw materials, the ancients would wash and dispose of them. In the case of plant seeds, they wash them to remove impurities and empty shells. In the case of animal fats, they cut them into small pieces for subsequent processing.
2. Squeezing and extraction.
Pressing was a key step in the production of edible oil in ancient times. According to the records of "Heavenly Works", the ancients would use wood or stone presses for pressing. A wood press usually consists of a large stake and multiple small stakes, the raw material is placed into the large stake, and then the large stake is beaten with multiple small stakes to squeeze the grease out of the raw material. A stone press consists of multiple stones, the raw materials are put into the stone press, and then the stones are pushed by human or animal power to squeeze out the grease.
Extraction is another important step. After pressing, the ancients would use some simple tools and methods to extract the grease from the residue. They usually put the pressed residue into a container, then add the right amount of water, stir well and let it sit for a while. In this way, the grease floats on the surface of the water, making it easy to collect and extract.
3. Refining and storage.
Refining is an important step in improving the quality of edible oils. According to the records of "Heavenly Creations", the ancients would use some simple refining methods, such as heating and precipitation, filtration, etc. They put the extracted grease into a container and then heat it to a certain temperature to allow the impurities in the grease to settle down. Next, they use a filter to filter out the impurities and get a pure cooking oil.
Storage is an important part of ensuring the quality of edible oil. The ancients would choose a dry, well-ventilated place to store cooking oil. They usually fill the cooking oil into a clay or porcelain jar and then seal the mouth of the jar to prevent air and moisture from entering. During the storage process, they also regularly check the quality of the cooking oil, and if there is any peculiar smell or deterioration, they will deal with it in time.
Fourth, cultural connotation and inheritance.
The production of edible oil in ancient times is not only a technological progress, but also contains rich cultural connotations. The detailed record of the production of edible oil in "Heavenly Creations" shows the ancient people's love for life and the spirit of exploration of science and technology. At the same time, the production of edible oil in ancient times is also one of the important parts of traditional Chinese culture. Many traditional dishes and foods are inseparable from the use of edible oil, such as stir-frying, fried food, etc. Therefore, it is of great significance to inherit and carry forward the ancient edible oil production technology for the promotion of traditional Chinese culture.
V. Conclusion. Through the analysis of the ancient edible oil production process in "Heavenly Creations", we can feel the wisdom and innovative spirit of ancient people. Through continuous practice and exploration, they have invented various practical tools and methods to improve the quality and yield of edible oil. At the same time, ancient scientific and technological works such as "Heavenly Creations" also provide valuable cultural heritage and learning materials for future generations. We should cherish these precious cultural heritages and technologies, pass them on and carry them forward, and contribute to the development of modern society