Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-09
FAvoRITE FOODS OF CHINESE.
Some Common Errors as to the Narie-
ties of Meats Consumed.
From the Forum.

rum Tue IoEull-
The cuisine of the Chinese and the mode
and ceremonies attending their feasts have
done much to give them a somewhat ex-
traordlnary reputation. Globe trotters.
striving to make their letters brilliant and
their books sensational. have told such Won
derful tales of bird-nest soup. canine hams
grimalkin fricassees, rats, snakes. worms
and other culinary novelties, served up in
such marvellous styles and eaten with such
apparent relish. that their readers naturally
take 1t for granted that these things form
a large proportion of the food of the people
of China.
Generally speaking. the diet of the Chi
nese is sufficient in variety, wholesome and
well cooked even If their methods are es-
entially different from our own. Doubtless
many of the dishes found extremely
unpala table to Americans, because of the
quantity of nut oil used, and by reason OF
the pungent favor of the large amount OF
garlic introduced. In the latter respect,
are equally Objectionable. As to the
sortment of food, II has been said that there
is a wider difference perhaps, between the
rich and the poor of China than of any
other country.
1t is probably true that the Chinese use
greater variety of meats than do the people
OF other countries. although but little land
is set apart for grazing or for the cultiva-
ton of food for live stock. Beef is not a
common meat, principally because of the
Buddhistic prejudice against killing any
animal. and particularly such useful one.
Since hogs can be so economically raised
pork is undoubtedly. after rice. the leading
article of food. This is eaten in every form
and one may say that every part of the an
imal is utilized for food. Horsehesh, veni-
son, antelope and bear are often seen, but
in passing through the markets pork, NUT
ton and flows are the most conspicuous.
For fish the Chinese have omnIvorous
appetite. nothing from the water, either
fresh or salt. being rejected. few kittens
and puppies may be offered for sale in
cages. Those which are intended for the
table are fed upon grain and clean food: so
that, If the nature of this food be consid-
cred. it is far more wholesome than is the
unclean hog. To assert that cats and dogs
form staple article of food is pure fiction.
One may live for years in Chinese city
without seeing rats or mice offered for sale
as food. They are sold for medicine: but
even for this purpose they are not so easily
caught as to be cheap. The treatment to
which the common people often subject I'M
fortunate rats which have been caught in
the granary initiates strongly against the
notion that these animals are selected as
rats steal their most precious article OF
food. rice the Chinese hold that they are
criminals of the deepest dye, and that they
merit the worst kind of torture. Black
dogs and cats are favorites among the
most superstitious natives OF the south.
These animals invariably command a higher
price than Others and are eaten at mid
summer. in the belief that the meat insures
both health and strength for the ensuing
year. The blood of all animals is taken so
far as concerns religious scruples. except
by Buddhist priests. by few OF the stricter
laymen. and, of course, by the Mohamme-
dams. of whom there are quite a number In
the northern part of the country.