| |
|
| Chongqing
Specialties (2) |
1.
Tian Ma:
Due to the fact that Chongqing is a city surrounded by mountains,
there are many rare Chinese traditional herbal medicines in these
parts including the rhizome of Chinese goldthread (huanglian), Gastrodia
elata (tianma) and the bark of eucommia (duchong). Among all the above
herbs, the most famous and important one is Gastrodia elata (tianma),
which contributes a great deal to patients with Eclampsia. Duck braised
in Gastrodia elata soup is the most famous medical dish you might
encounter when dining in the local restaurants in Chongqing. |
2. Huangsha Pomelo:
The fertile land in this mountain city is ideal for the fruit growing,
such as orange, pear, pomelo and persimmon. Huangsha Pomelo is probably
the most famous fruit in Chongqing. Pomelos look like large green
pears with thick skin but have the texture and slight taste of grapefruit.
Unlike some other kinds of pomelo, it is unusually succulent and sweet,
with a rich fragrance of honey.
The pomelo is an exotic large citrus fruit that is an ancient ancestor
of the common grapefruit. It is the largest of the citrus fruits with
a shape that can be fairly round or pear-shaped. They range from cantaloupe-size
to watermelon and have very thick, soft rind but it is easy to be
peeled away. The skin is green to yellow and slightly bumpy; flesh
color ranges from pale pink to red. Like grapefruits, they can range
from almost seedless to very seedy, from juicy to slightly dry, from
sweet to sour. It is milder and sweeter than a grapefruit and can
be eaten fresh, although membranes around the segments should be peeled.
Nutritionally, pomelo has rich in Vitamin C and potassium. It is a
popular snack and it is also good for jams and salads, jellies, marmalades
and syrups.
The pomelo is native to southeastern Asia and all of Malaysia; grows
wild on river banks. It is a popular fruit that has been cultivated
in China for thousands of years. It may have been introduced into
China around 100 B.C. It is much cultivated in southern China and
also grown in many eastern Asian countries including Japan, India,
Fiji, Malaysia, and Thailand. The pomelo is also called Shaddock after
an English sea captain, Captain Shaddock, who introduced the seed
to the West Indies in the 17th Century from the Malay Archipelago. |
| The
pomelo fruit--which ripens in autumn--is also an essential part of
the Mid-autumn festival. It is considered as an auspicious fruit because
its Chinese name stands for "blessing" and its Cantonese
name sounds like the Chinese word for "have". The Chinese
word for the pomelo fruit is yu, which is similar in sound to the
word for "protection", expressing the hope that the moon
God will give them protection. Along with its auspicious name, the
sweet honey taste of the pomelo fruit complements the rich flavor
of moon cakes during the festival. It is a popular treat for the festival
and children use the thick skin of pomelo to make a lantern to watch
the full moon. Superstition has it that a hollow Pomelo center brings
good luck. The Chinese boil the skins and the leaves of the pomelo
to prepare a ceremonial bath to "ritually cleanse a person and
repel evil". |
|
 |
| Spectacular Qutang,
elegant Wu and majestic Xiling - they are no illusion but truly
world wonders, even after the big dam is complete. Let images
in our gallery be your guidance when planning your next China
Trip. |
|
|
