Dumpling and the Chinese Culture
Originated from the northern part of China, Chinese dumpling, jiaozi (in Mandarin Chinese, 餃子), is one of the most famous Chinese dishes around the world today. It is served year round in most Chinese families, especially during the Chinese New Year. As a tradition, the Chinese families would gather to make jiaozi in the Chinese New Year to signify the value of togetherness , or Tuanyuan ( in Mandarin Chinese, 團圓) .
Different Dumpling
Jiaozi generally consists of minced meat and chopped vegetables wrapped in a piece of dough. Based on personal preferences, choices of meat for stuffing can range from grinded pork, beef, chicken, lamb, shrimp, to fish; and the choices for vegetables may include Chinese cabbage, Chinese lettuce, chives, and tomatoes.
Dumpling is also given different names according to the different methods it is prepared in. Boiled dumpling is called Shuijiao or jiaozi (in Mandarin Chinese, 水餃 or 餃子); steamed dumpling is called zhengjiao (in Mandarin Chinese, 蒸餃); and shallow fried dumpling is called guotie or jianjiao(in Mandarin Chinese, 鍋貼 or 煎餃).
Shuijiao or jiazi is also named Yuanbao (in Mandarin Chinese, 元寶) when served in the Chinese New Year for its resemblance of ancient Chinese money, and additional ingredients like jujube, or even coins, would be added as a mean to attract good luck for an entire year.
Dipping
Chinese cuisine is famous for its use of sauce, and so is to its dipping for dumplings. Hence, Chinese would use specific dipping to go with dumplings cooked in different ways.
For instance, the authentic dipping for Sjuijiao or jiaozi (in Mandarin Chinese, 水餃 or 餃子) should include soy sauce, vinegar and sesame oil. As for Zhengjia or Guotie (in Mandarin Chinese, 煎餃or鍋貼), the appropriate dipping should be a combination of Zhenjiang vinegar (in Mandarin Chinese, 鎮江醋) and diced ginger.
Dumpling and the Chinese Language
Chinese culture is recognized as a culture of chow. As such, there are many sayings and proverbs derived from their cuisine.
For example, ”the skin of a dumpling is torn” is a commonly used phrase which means secrets are revealed.
Usually, the stuffing of a dumpling is well wrapped in a piece of dough like a well kept secret. When the dough is torn, the stuffing would therefore be exposed just as if the cover for a secret is unraveled.
Isn’t this an interesting and vivid symbolism?
Originated from the northern part of China, Chinese dumpling, jiaozi (in Mandarin Chinese, 餃子), is one of the most famous Chinese dishes around the world today. It is served year round in most Chinese families, especially during the Chinese New Year. As a tradition, the Chinese families would gather to make jiaozi in the Chinese New Year to signify the value of togetherness , or Tuanyuan ( in Mandarin Chinese, 團圓) .
Different Dumpling
Jiaozi generally consists of minced meat and chopped vegetables wrapped in a piece of dough. Based on personal preferences, choices of meat for stuffing can range from grinded pork, beef, chicken, lamb, shrimp, to fish; and the choices for vegetables may include Chinese cabbage, Chinese lettuce, chives, and tomatoes.
Dumpling is also given different names according to the different methods it is prepared in. Boiled dumpling is called Shuijiao or jiaozi (in Mandarin Chinese, 水餃 or 餃子); steamed dumpling is called zhengjiao (in Mandarin Chinese, 蒸餃); and shallow fried dumpling is called guotie or jianjiao(in Mandarin Chinese, 鍋貼 or 煎餃).
Shuijiao or jiazi is also named Yuanbao (in Mandarin Chinese, 元寶) when served in the Chinese New Year for its resemblance of ancient Chinese money, and additional ingredients like jujube, or even coins, would be added as a mean to attract good luck for an entire year.
Dipping
Chinese cuisine is famous for its use of sauce, and so is to its dipping for dumplings. Hence, Chinese would use specific dipping to go with dumplings cooked in different ways.
For instance, the authentic dipping for Sjuijiao or jiaozi (in Mandarin Chinese, 水餃 or 餃子) should include soy sauce, vinegar and sesame oil. As for Zhengjia or Guotie (in Mandarin Chinese, 煎餃or鍋貼), the appropriate dipping should be a combination of Zhenjiang vinegar (in Mandarin Chinese, 鎮江醋) and diced ginger.
Dumpling and the Chinese Language
Chinese culture is recognized as a culture of chow. As such, there are many sayings and proverbs derived from their cuisine.
For example, ”the skin of a dumpling is torn” is a commonly used phrase which means secrets are revealed.
Usually, the stuffing of a dumpling is well wrapped in a piece of dough like a well kept secret. When the dough is torn, the stuffing would therefore be exposed just as if the cover for a secret is unraveled.
Isn’t this an interesting and vivid symbolism?