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Summary
Do you often see some European and American people showing off their meals online, and then feel speechless? They always have the same things on the menu, steak, salmon, toast, salads, and a variety of dairy products. Their cooking methods are also very monotonous, either frying or roasting, and occasionally adding salt and pepper, even if they are chefs.
They never seem to know what stir-frying is and what seasoning is. Their eating habits make it difficult for us Chinese people who love food to understand and even despise them.
We feel that their food has no color, no flavor, no nutrition, no creativity, and no culture. We feel like they are living in primitive times and have never enjoyed real delicious food.
So, why don’t Europeans and Americans cook stir-fry, but only China? This is a very interesting question and a very complex one.
If you want to know the answer to this question, then please continue reading. I will unravel this mystery for you and let you know the real reason why Europeans and Americans don’t cook. It will also make you more appreciative and proud of our Chinese cooking culture. .
Chinese food culture
Chinese food culture is a highlight of Chinese culture, showing people's love and understanding of nature, life, health and aesthetics, as well as their wisdom and creativity. This unique culture has gone through different stages, forming various flavors and genres, which are rich in connotation and extremely charming.
The earliest stage is "eating raw", which is the most basic way of eating for humans. They eat animals and plants in nature directly without any cooking processing. This stage lasted for a long time until humans mastered the skill of using fire and entered the next stage.
The second stage is "cooking", which marks the beginning of human dietary civilization. Through the use of fire, humans can cook, roast, bake, fry and other methods to process food, changing the taste and nutrition, and also reducing harmful substances and germs in food. Representative foods include barbecued meat, porridge, soup, etc., which not only fill the stomach, but also warm the body and enhance immunity.
The third stage is called "natural seasoning" and is the peak period of Chinese food culture. Humans began to use natural substances such as water, salt, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and wine to season food to make it taste more delicious and harmonious.
Representative foods include sauced pork, vinegar cabbage, braised fish, sweet and sour pork ribs, etc. These delicacies not only satisfy the taste buds, but also help regulate the body and balance yin and yang.
The fourth stage is "scientific cooking", which represents the innovation of Chinese food culture. Humans not only use natural substances, but also incorporate science and technology to improve the quality and safety of food, enrich the types and forms of food, and cater to different tastes and needs. Representative foods include quick-frozen dumplings, instant noodles, etc. These foods not only save time, but also enrich life and adapt to the needs of the times.
Chinese food culture is characterized by diversity and inclusiveness. It brings together the food styles and techniques of various regions, ethnic groups and periods, forming four major cuisines and many local cuisines. Each cuisine has its own For example, Shandong cuisine pays attention to knife skills and heat, Sichuan cuisine pays attention to spiciness and variety, Jiangsu cuisine pays attention to freshness and lightness, and Cantonese cuisine pays attention to original juice and broadness.
Chinese food culture also reflects the aesthetic taste and thinking paradigm of the Chinese people, such as the pursuit of the color, aroma, taste, shape, and meaning of food, the observance of food seasons, etiquette, and customs, and the health of food. , nutrition, medicinal understanding, etc.
Western food culture
Western food culture refers to the food culture in Europe, America and other regions. Western food culture has a long history, has gone through four stages of development, formed a variety of flavors and schools, and has rich connotations. and charm.
In the early days of Western diet, that is, the classical period, it originated from the influence of ancient Greece and Rome.During this period, people began to use fire and water to cook food, and also began to use salt, vinegar, honey and other condiments to add flavor to the food and extend its preservation time.
Representative foods include bread, cheese, olives and wine, which not only provide energy, but also carry religious and cultural symbolic meanings.
Entering the Middle Ages, Western food culture fell into a trough. Under the influence of Christianity, people's eating habits have become monotonous and conservative.
Meat and dairy products became staple foods, while vegetables and fruits were in a auxiliary position. The cooking methods are mainly roasting and boiling, and the seasonings are mostly salt and pepper. Representative foods include barbecued meats, soups, noodles and butter, which not only fill the stomach but also highlight social class and wealth.
Subsequently, with the advent of the Renaissance, Western food culture ushered in a new peak of development. Italy and France began to lead the way, and people began to pay attention to the aesthetics and science of food.
New World ingredients such as corn, potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers were introduced, along with new cooking methods such as stir-frying, deep-frying, and braising.
In addition, condiments such as sauces, creams and cheeses were also created. Representative foods include pasta, French bread, pizza and cheesecake, etc., which not only satisfy the taste buds, but also show personality and creativity.
In the modern era, Western food culture has entered a stage of innovation. Influenced by the United States and other countries, people began to pursue dietary diversity and convenience.
The application of technology and industry has improved the quality and safety of food, and also enriched the types and forms of food to meet different tastes and needs. Representative foods include burgers, hot dogs, French fries, ice cream, etc. They not only save time, but also conform to the trend of the times.
Western food culture is characterized by rationality and science. It follows the laws of nature and nutritional principles, pays attention to the quality and safety of food, and also pursues the beauty and innovation of food, forming unique cuisines and styles, such as Italian cuisine, French cuisine, American cuisine, German cuisine, Russian cuisine, etc.
Each cuisine has its own history and culture. For example, Italian food is the originator of Western food culture, French food is the king of Western food culture, and American food is the upstart of Western food culture.
Monotonous and rough
The cooking methods of Western food culture may seem monotonous and rough, but there are many factors behind it.
First of all, from the perspective of dietary structure, the Western diet pays more attention to high-protein, high-fat, and high-calorie meat and dairy products, while the Chinese diet prefers low-protein, low-fat, and low-calorie grains and vegetables.
This has resulted in Western cooking focusing more on roasting and boiling to retain the original flavor, while Chinese cooking prefers stir-frying and boiling to enhance the flavor of the ingredients.
Secondly, cooking utensils also affect cooking methods. Large and heavy iron pots and steel knives are commonly used in the West, while small and light copper pots and kitchen knives are commonly used in China. This makes the West more suitable for roasting and boiling, while China is better at stir-frying and boiling.
Furthermore, different cooking methods are also one of the influencing factors. The West prefers direct and simple roasting and boiling, while China prefers complex and indirect stir-frying and boiling. This has caused the West to focus on the texture and form of ingredients, while China pays more attention to the taste and symbolic meaning of food.
Finally, the cooking philosophy is also different. The West focuses on rationality and science and considers food to be a source of matter and energy; while China emphasizes sensibility and art and regards food as the expression of life and soul.
Conclusion
The reason why the cooking methods of Western food culture are monotonous and rough is mainly due to the influence of factors such as geographical environment, agricultural development, industrial development and cultural traditions, but this does not mean that Westerners cannot appreciate and Learn Chinese cooking skills. On the contrary, with the exchange and integration of Chinese and Western cultures, cooking will become a common language and bridge between Chinese and Western people.
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