Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-10-08
CHINESE DIET.
A.. B..

Correspondence OF Glasgow Herald
The Chinese have no butter, milk or
cheese. They have no cattle except for
agricultural purposes, which has made
them comparatively dear, and therefore
meat from this source has fallen into dis
use except among the Mongols and Man
chus. The European is dissatisfied with
meal with neither bread, butter nor
milk, and he is Disguised with the oily
and alliaceous stews set before him. The
Chinese would be equally shocked at the
cheese we sometimes eat, which can al
most walk. WOmen's milk is sold in
some cities for the sustenance of infants
and old people, it being believed pecui-
arly nourshing to aged persons.
The common beverage is tea. Our sit
ting down to IA tea meal seems strange to
them, and they cannot understand our
spelling the beverage by making it so
strong, black and adding sugar and milk
Tea is never INDUCED in as a meal-it is
Il constant and restorative beverage dur
ing the day, taken very weak and hardly
is largely drank, and the good effects of
this custom are worthy of trial by US.
The mouth is rinsed with hot water or
tea after each meal. Cold water is sell
dom drunk. Cold liquids of any kind
are not considered wholesome. The peo-
pie boil all their water, and this renders
them careless and independent as to its
source.
The Chinese eat larger variety OF
meats than the people of other countries,
and at the same time very little land is
appropriated to rearing animals for food.
Beef is only eaten, when it can be had,
by the very lowest classes. No respect
able person eats so useful and sacred an
animal. Buddhistic prejudice against kill
ing has had Il powerful effect in restrain
ing the tlesh-eating propensities of the
people. Mutton, except in the extreme
north, bordering on the lofty grass plat
eau of Mongolia, is dear and poor. There
isa large Mohammedan population in the
north. The flesh of the buffalo and goat
are still less used. Pork is the principal
meat consumed. and surpasses all others,
and no meat can be raised so economic
cally.
The Chinese are perfectly omniverouS
with respect to aquatic production. Here
nothing comes amiss. All waters are
veXed with their fisheries. Every posi-
Bile way of catching and rearing fish is
practiced. Fish are usually sold alive in
tubs in the streets. so as 10 guarantee
their freshness. All sorts of crabs,
prawnS and ShrimpS are very largely eat
en-. either fresh or simply dried in the
sun. Both salt and fresh water she'll
fish are abundant. There is much insect
= food consumed, such as locusts, grass
hoppers, grubs and silk-wormS. We
- cannot mention all the different things
;. the people eat, the products of earth, air,
>, and sea- The gelatinouS birds nests are
!, well known. Sharks fins and fish maws
-. are boiled into gelatinous soups, that are
. both nouriShing and palatable, and diff
ferent parts of animals are sought after
as delicacies.
= To sum up, let us generalze by saying
that the everyday ordinary food of the
u Chinese is plain, simple, light, non-stini-
y ulating and cheap. All the kingdoms of
" nature have been ransacked to provide
I food for this remarkable people. Every
{ thing that lives and grows from the an
! imal and vegetable world is laid under
. contribution.