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Facts About China

3rd largest country in the world by area after Russia and Canada and the largest population.

• More than 1/5 of the world’s population lives within China’s borders.

Facts About China

• Located on the continent of Asia and includes more than 3400 offshore islands.

• The climates of China are similar in their range and distribution to those of the continental United States, but the regional contrasts are much greater.

Eating in China

Eating in China

• Regional Cuisines • Northern • Southern • Eastern • Western

Eating in China

• Northern Style of Cooking • Beijing • Mongolian and Manchurian dishes

Eating in China

• Southern Style Cooking • AKA Cantonese cuisine • Best-known • Unusual Ingredients • Light in style • Don’t eat noodles often.

Eating in China

• Eastern Cuisine • Seaport of Shanghai • Food is rich • “Red Cooking”

Eating in China

• Western Cuisine • Szechwan and Hunan • Spicy • Yunnan

• The Meal • Fan • Ts’ai

Eating in China

Eating in China: Place Settings

• Bowl of Fan • Chopsticks • Soupspoon • Saucer

Eating in China: Place Settings

• Saucer • Chopsticks • Soup bowl placed • Bowl of rice • Meat and vegetables and Soup

Eating in China: Serving

• Eat directly from serving plates using chopsticks • Eat soup from common bowl • Hot towel for wiping hands and mouth

Eating in China: Etiquette

• Never hold a rice bowl in the palm of your hand.

• Chopsticks used instead of forks and knives.

• Never cross chopsticks with another diner.

Eating in China: Etiquette

• Saucer is not used for serving oneself a separate portion • Dining tables are usually square or round.

Eating in China

• Who Eats When and How • Eating begins in order of seniority.

• The cue to begin starts from the immediate superior.

• The eldest elder has the seat of honor.

Eating in China

• Who Eats When and How • Children should eat equally from each ts’ai dish (food dish).

• Soup should be eaten a special way.

• To leave any grain of rice or trace of noodles in your bowl is considered bad manners.

Eating in China

• Accompaniments • Drinks and desserts are not usually served with the meal.

• Soup is the only liquid provided.

Eating in China: No no’s

• Don’t stick your chopsticks upright in the rice bowl.

• Making sure the spout of the teapot is not facing anyone.

• Don’t tap on your bowl with your chopsticks.

References

• http://www.cuisinenet.com/glossary/china.h

tml • http://www.sallys place.com/food/cuisines/china.htm

• http://www.asiarecipe.com/chihistory.html