About Food and Culture The Chinese Dumplings

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May 7, 2019
Food and Culture – The Chinese Dumplings
Introduction
The Chinese dumpling is a common staple across China. This nourishing food seem to have been adopted from all over the world as mentions of it in scholarly articles as well as reviews on this sumptuous delicacy is a well-accepted notion. Growing cultures on the preparation and consumption of dumplings across Asia, Australia, Americas and even Europe have spawned. In fact, Chinese food is deemed to be one of the most popular cuisines out there in the world, with almost any country cooking, preparing, and selling them. The global reach of China’s influence has in effect been demonstrated in the most subtle means and in this case, yes the common dumpling. This simple food may have dominated the world gastronomically but there is more to it than just good taste and nourishment. The cultural value of dumplings stem from its origins and lore. In this article, the history and the tradition of Chinese cuisine would be discussed in accordance with its inception as one of the most popular cuisines in the world. The succeeding sections would discuss the cultural background of such cuisine, social significance, as well as provide a recipe of one of the foods that are commonly prepared in this kind of cuisine. All in all, the author of this article believes that while some might think of Chinese food as mundane, looking at its history and other facets of its social significance would lead to a greater appreciation of Chinese food as in international cuisine.
Cultural Background
The historical background of dumplings dates back 1,800 years in ancient China. The Chinese term for dumpling is Jiaozi and was originally used by a Chinese medicine man named Zhang Zhongjing (GBTimes, 2012). According to the article, the medicine man was upset on a spreading epidemic caused by extreme cold during one winter season. He made a concoction of mixed mutton meat, chilli, herbs and shredded them as fillings then used dough to wrap the fillings into ear shaped morsels. A few days later, frostbite was cured and the epidemic was under control. Soon, people started copying Zhang’s dumplings and mixed it with different kinds of meat and vegetables (GBTimes, 2012). Doctor Wang Lingxiang says that all the ingredients used in the making of dumplings could help warm the body and promote blood flow. Also it has a great taste and wonderful texture that it is instanteaneously received by all. Thus it has become the symbol of warmth and home CITATION Ori14 \l 1033 (Origin of Chinese dumplings).
A learned Dissertation on Dummpling, its Dignity, Antiquity and Exellence; with a Word upon Pudding was found in the British Museum and cited by Frederick Wood, author of the article An Eighteenth Century Original for lamb? CITATION Woo29 \l 1033 (Wood). Author Wood explains that the original publication of the pamphlet remains elusive however, the British Museum holds a copy of the fifth edition published in 1726 CITATION Woo29 \l 1033 (Wood). The article indicates that authorship of the said document is being ascertained however, new leads may soon be established to pinpoint the proper author responsible for the paper. The contents of which wax loosely discussed in the article of Wood and thus, very few information have been gathered from the original source. It has been mentioned nonetheless that the idea of dumpling came to Europe and imported by Julius Ceasar. Although Wood emphasizes that when it arrived, the food was crude in nature and was later improved by generations of dumpling makers with the addition of new ingredients and the discovery of new methods in cooking dumpling gave rise to inovative means in its production including the addition of egg in its recipe CITATION Woo29 \l 1033 (Wood).
The Social Significance of Dumpling in Chinese Lives
The dumpling has become a delicacy for the Chinese people most significantly during the spring Festival or Chinese Lunar New Year. The Chinese New Year falls on different dates but it is ussually celebrated during the last week of January to the first week of February CITATION Yua16 \l 1033 (Yuan). The common food prepared for this occasion are niangao (fried rice cake) for the southern China while Jiaozi (dumplings) are for the northern China who usually consumes wheat. The etymology of jiaozi, as the author Yuan explains that jiao means “passing over” or “crossing” while zi signifies the section of the time that covers midnight. The meaning is basically the celebration of New Year. The author states, “By eating jiaozi (dumpling), one says goodbye to the old year and hello to the new year” CITATION Yua16 \l 1033 (Yuan). The preparation of dumpling is a family gathering as it is customary especially for the Northern Chinese. This was a highlighted in the movie Crazy Rich Asians where family and relatives gather around a table and talking to each other while making dumplings. Traditionally however, they are made and prepared with vegetables only as it is more wholesome than meat and it is meant to give a good kick start for the New Year. Such tradition is commonly held with the family members helping one another to prepare the dumplings, where each of the family members could either have their own sets of tasks or they could prepare the dumplings together. Some studies would say that the preparation and cooking itself is symbolic of the family unity and togetherness. In terms of celebration, the New Year’s Eve is an exclusive family night and thus no outsiders are invited. Parents usually put coins inside the dumplings and are considered good luck for those who are able to pick the winning dumplings CITATION Yua16 \l 1033 (Yuan). This may have inspired the American version of fortune cookies CITATION Yua16 \l 1033 (Yuan).
Dumplings have played an important role not only in China’s food culture but also in spirituality CITATION YuY05 \l 1033 (Yu). The social value placed in dumpling as a cultural food is indicative in its ceremonial purpose. “They form one of the chief elements of traditional food culture” CITATION Yua16 \l 1033 (Yuan). The author also asserts that the Shandong region of northern China is the birthplace of the dumpling. Shandong province is located on the lower Yellow river Valley. People consume the delicacy not just in everyday lives but significantly on celebrations, ceremonial events, memorials, weddings and funerals CITATION Yua16 \l 1033 (Yuan). This shows that the dumplings are prepared and consumed by people from the province of its origin in almost any occasion, and not merely one special ones which is a misconception that is associated with its history. The types of dumplings differ in each locality depending on its historical background and social milieu CITATION Yua16 \l 1033 (Yuan). Thus, the dumplings have different forms, sizes and sh...