Food is the life of the people, and food has always played a role in people's hearts from ancient times to the presentVery important position
In ancient times, people regarded eating as the most important thing in life, and the royal family and nobles regarded eating as a kind of enjoyment.
But you know what?In ancient times,Eating isn't just about filling your stomachFood often represents a person's identity and status. After understanding, I learned that the ancient diet was also divided into three, six, nine and so on.
Ancient Chinese food culture is like a long river of history, bringing together thousands of years of wisdom and creativity.
From the primitive cooking of the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties, to the diversified integration of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, to the prosperity and development of the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynastiesThe evolution of each dynasty has breathed new life into the food culture.
During the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties, grain was the staple food of the people, and they cultivated wheat, rice and other crops, and used stone mills to grind the grains into flour to make a variety of pasta.
It was also at that time that people began to use bronze utensils to cook food, such as bronze pots, bronze tripods, etc., and the cooking methods of this period were relatively simple, mainly using boiling, steaming, roasting, etc.
After entering the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, exchanges between vassal states were frequent, and local cuisines began to merge with each other.
Shandong cuisine, Sichuan cuisine, Cantonese cuisine and other cuisines have gradually formed, and cooking skills have also been greatly improved.
During the Qin and Han dynasties, the unified state government promoted the prosperity and development of food culture, and Zhang Qian brought back many new ingredients and cooking techniques after his mission to the Western Regions, such as grapes, pomegranates, carrots, spinach, etc.The introduction of these new ingredients has brought a lot of new things to the food culture of the Central Plains.
People are gradually starting to pay attention to diet and healthThe concept of dietary therapy has gradually taken root in the hearts of the people, "The Yellow Emperor's Neijing" records many dietary prescriptions, advocating the use of food to regulate the body.
By the Tang and Song dynasties, economic prosperity and social stability had brought food culture to a new peak.
All kinds of delicacies emerge in an endless stream, such as those of the Tang Dynasty".Roast whole lamb", Song Dynasty".Dongpo meatThese dishes are not only beautiful in color and flavor, but also have far-reaching meanings.
With the further diversification of food culture, Mongolian barbecue techniques have been integrated into the Central Plains diet, forming a unique style.
Imperial dishes such as the Manchu and Han Dynasty banquets have also become treasures of Chinese food culture.
During the Qing Dynasty, emperors often held Manchu and Han banquets, which were huge banquets that blended Manchu and Han cuisines.
The number of Manchu and Han dishes is huge, often reaching hundredsWe have everything from delicacies from the mountains and seas to a variety of meats and vegetables
It was a sumptuous feast for the ancient emperors!Imagine that hundreds of dishes are placed in front of you, and all kinds of delicacies from the mountains and seas are coming, and it is estimated that you will be full of them.
Folk snacks and local specialties also emerged during this period,"Mooncakes"This snack came about during this period.
In terms of etiquette, ancient Chinese food etiquette was very particular. Whether it is the seating order and order of the guest of honor, or the knowledge when ordering, and the etiquette of eating, it all reflects the importance of etiquette and culture.
Because of the social hierarchy, people's diets are also availableThree, six, nine, etcPoints. This hierarchy is not only reflected in the choice of ingredients, but also in aspects such as cooking techniques and the use of utensils.
At that time, the top of the food pyramid was the royal noblesThe dishes on these people's tables are varied, not only with fresh ingredients, but also with great precision.
They usually choose the best ingredients to make them, and then pair them with a variety of alcoholic beverages and drinks, such as fine wines, elixirs, etc.
In cooking technology, they are even moreKeep improving, using a variety of complex cooking techniques, such as roasting, stewing, steaming, boiling, etc., to make the dishes more delicious and delicious.
The diet of ordinary people is relatively simple, and they can usually only eat some basic ingredients, such as grains, vegetables, legumes, etc.
The cooking technique is also relatively simple, generally just boiling or roasting the ingredients, and there are few complicated cooking techniques.
In terms of tableware, they usually used simple tableware such as pottery and bronze, while the nobles used expensive tableware such as gold and silverware.In addition to the differences in ingredients and cooking techniques, the differences in food between different levels of people are also reflected in table manners and rules.
For example, at a banquet,The host will arrange the seating and the order of the dishes according to the identity and status of the guests。Guests are required to abide by the rules and etiquette, such as not talking or moving chopsticks.
The ancient food culture is also inseparable from the social and cultural background of the time, and people's food will be different in different social periods and cultural backgrounds.
If you want to talk about the most extravagant diet, you have to look at the emperor, and the degree of extravagance of the diet is simply breathtaking.
The food on the emperor's table was varied and dazzlingAs long as you can think of the delicacies of the mountains and seas, almost all of them can appear on the emperor's table.
For example, bird's nest, shark's fin, bear's paw and other rare ingredients are often guests on the emperor's table.
The emperor's diet is also very ceremonial, when eating, not only must there be a group of palace maids and eunuchs to serve, but also have **, dance and other entertainment programs accompanied.
Sometimes, the emperor would invite some ministers to dine together, enjoying the food while also showing his authority and dignity.
Eat what is in the emperor's mouth, of course, the taste and appearance must be **, every dish must be carefully cooked by the imperial kitchen, and it can only be served on the table when the color and flavor are good.
And every dish the emperor ate had to have a unique name and meaningFor example, "Longjing shrimp" implies the authority of the emperor, and "Buddha jumping over the wall" implies the dignity and mystery of the emperor.
The tableware of the ancient emperors was also very particular, and it was generally made of precious materials such as **, silver, and jade.
The cutlery is very beautifully designed and madeIt is often inlaid with gemstones or carved with auspicious motifs.
It will also be engraved with various patterns and words to show its nobility and uniqueness, such as dragon and phoenix patterns engraved on gold tableware, and flowers or poems engraved on jade tableware.
Before the emperor ate, the eunuchs or court maids would also wash the dishes with hot water and then wipe them clean with a cloth.
There are still a lot of exquisiteness in the process of dining, first of all, the emperor can not leave his seat at will, but also must remain dignified and dignified, if you want to drink water or rinse your mouth, there will be a special eunuch or palace maid to serve tea or mouthwash.
In addition to three meals a day, there are also countless other foods, because the ancient emperors would have special royal tribute, which are rare ingredients from all over the country.
For example, the three fresh anchovies of the Yangtze River have to go up the river every spring, and only the emperor has the right to taste the first net caught.The ingredients are carefully selected and transported to ensure their fresh taste. With so much attention, if we go back to ancient times, I'm afraid we will be collapsed by this rule.
Ancient food culture carries rich historical, cultural and artistic connotations. From the choice of ingredients, cooking methods, the use of tableware to table manners, ancient food culture reflects people's pursuit of food and love for life.
At the same time, it also reflects the inequalities of some social hierarchies, and makes us deeply aware of the importance of equality and respect. We should also continue to inherit and promote the ancient food culture, so that more people can understand and appreciate the charm of Chinese cuisine.