A Chinese Life of Flowers – The Food
By Florence Gump
In China, there is indeed a deep connection between flowers and people’s lives, which is reflected in various aspects of life, including food. As a country known for its rich culinary traditions, flowers offer China a unique and captivating experience when it comes to incorporating flowers into its food culture.
The history of eating flowers in China goes back thousands of years, and many ancient texts and poems mention their use in various dishes. The earliest written records date back to the Spring and Autumn period more than 2700 years ago. At that time, chrysanthemums appeared as food in poems and herbal books. People believed that eating chrysanthemums was beneficial to health and therefore praised them highly. In the Tang and Song dynasties, the consumption of chrysanthemums became very popular. Especially in the Song Dynasty, both the types of edible flowers and the preparation methods became rich and varied.
In traditional Chinese cuisine, chrysanthemums, jasmine, osmanthus, lotus and roses are the most representative and popular edible flowers. They are often made into jams, teas and salads or used in desserts and sweets, and are even used as ingredients to decorate other dishes. With their unique flavors and fragrances, they add a different texture to dishes and bring a touch of romance to food. The Chinese use flowers not only for their fragrance or aesthetics, but often also for their nutritional and medicinal properties.
Nowadays, flower food is still popular and irresistible to the Chinese. Modern Chinese chefs and gourmets are constantly experimenting with new combinations and recipes, incorporating a variety of flowers into their dishes. In the province of Yunnan, in southwest China, you can even enjoy a flower banquet consisting entirely of different flowers.
(Courtesy: People.cn)
Flower food stands for a deep cultural and historical connection to nature. In China, where nature is revered and respected, the use of flowers as food is a way of honoring the bounty of the earth and celebrating the harmony between humans and nature.
