| China is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. It is | | | | chopsticks. Certain basic etiquettes are to be followed |
| the also the largest country in the world in terms of | | | | while eating food using chopsticks like not making noise |
| population. Its billion plus population along with its diverse | | | | using chopsticks and not toying with the food. |
| culture and rich and long past has given it one of the | | | | A small number of people in China, mostly Buddhists, |
| most vibrant cuisines in the world which is admired all | | | | follow vegetarianism. Vegetables like sprouts, corn and |
| over the world from America to Australia. In fact, | | | | mushrooms are frequently used in vegetarian dished in |
| catering has been pushed to the heights of art by | | | | china. Certain meat analogues that are prepared using |
| Chinese primarily as an influence of the ancient custom | | | | soy protein and wheat gluten are also used in |
| of the buffets of Chinese emperors which had | | | | vegetarian dishes. These meat analogues resemble |
| hundred dishes each! | | | | the quality, flavor and look of meat products like |
| Chinese cuisine varies greatly across its vast mainland | | | | chicken, pork or duck. |
| from region to region. Bases on past traditions the | | | | Tea is a major beverage drink that originated in China |
| Chinese cuisine can be divided into eight main regional | | | | and spread worldwide from here. Ancient Chinese |
| cuisines called Eight Great Traditions. They are Hunan, | | | | considered tea to have medicinal values and it |
| Fujian, Shandong, Anhui, Cantonese, Jiangsu, Sichuan | | | | removed harmful toxins from the body. Chinese also |
| and Zhejiang. | | | | have a long tradition of alcoholic beverages like grape |
| However four of the traditions based on geographical | | | | wines which is more than 4500 years old. |
| domains dominate the Chinese culinary heritage. They | | | | If you come across McDonald's or a KFC (Kentucky |
| are - Shandong Cuisine (Northern China), Sichuan | | | | Fried Chicken) outlet in China, don't be surprised. A |
| Cuisine (Western China), Jiangsu Cuisine (Eastern | | | | large number of multinational food and restaurant |
| China) and Cantonese Cuisine (Southern China). In | | | | chains have opened outlets in China to tap the huge |
| recent times Beijing cuisine and Shanghai cuisine are | | | | market of China especially in the major cities which |
| also getting popular. There has also been a resurgence | | | | have become wealthy due to strong economic growth |
| of Buddhist vegetarian cuisine and Muslim halal cuisine. | | | | in China in recent years. |
| Traditional Chinese cuisine has also been adapted in | | | | Chinese catering and its cuisine present a modern |
| various parts of the world to meet local tastes. | | | | view of China. It gives a glimpse of its long history. The |
| American Chinese cuisine and Indian Chinese cuisines | | | | catering traditions of china are the richest in the world. |
| are prime examples of this phenomenon. In Chinese | | | | Additionally there are some recent important |
| cuisine most of the foods are in the form of small bits | | | | developments in China like the opening of its economy |
| that can be readily consumed. | | | | which have also left a mark on the catering services |
| Instead of the usual forks and knives common in | | | | and Chinese cuisine. |
| Western cuisines, Chinese food is served with | | | | |