Dumplings (饺子) occupy a special place on Chinese dining tables. They are not only a household delicacy but also carry rich culture and emotions.
Dumplings, this traditional Chinese cuisine, have long become a staple on the dining tables of countless families.
They are small in shape, with thin skin and plenty of filling. With one bite, the delicious broth and rich filling burst in the mouth, leaving a lingering aftertaste.
The history of dumplings can be traced back a long, long time ago. At that time, Chinese people invented this food wrapped in dough with filling inside in order to find a bit of warmth during the cold winter.
According to legend, the Chinese medical saint Zhang Zhongjing saw the people suffering from hunger and cold, so he ordered his disciples to set up a big pot and boil a medicinal soup to drive away the cold.
He carefully selected lamb and added some medicinal herbs that can drive away cold, and slowly stewed it in a pot.
fter the meat is cooked to perfection, he cuts it into small pieces, wraps it in a thin layer of dough, shapes it into an ear shape, and then puts it in the pot to cook.
The cooked ‘little ears’ were steaming hot and served to the villagers who were shivering from the cold and suffering from ear frostbite.
After people eat this kind of food, their bodies immediately warm up, their ears also warm up, and frostbite gradually heals.
This type of food is gradually being promoted and people call it “dumplings”.
Since the Song Dynasty, there has been a custom of eating dumplings on the winter solstice, and since the Ming Dynasty, there has been a custom of eating dumplings on the first day of the first lunar month.
As time went by, the fillings of dumplings became more and more diversified, ranging from the original pork and cabbage to later seafood, vegetables, and various other ingredients that can be used as fillings.
And the way of making dumplings has gradually evolved from handmade at home to modern mechanical production. But no matter how the production method changes, the love and anticipation for dumplings remain the same.
In China, dumplings are not just a delicacy, but also a symbol of culture. Especially during the Spring Festival, every household will gather together to make dumplings. This is not only a traditional custom, but also a way of family reunion and emotional bonding.
The shape of dumplings also symbolizes good luck and wealth, as they resemble ancient gold ingots. Therefore, eating dumplings is also seen as a way to seek good luck and wealth.
Today, dumplings have gone beyond national borders and become a favorite food for people all over the world. Whether in Asian restaurants or supermarkets in Europe and America, you can find dumplings.
This traditional Chinese cuisine not only satisfies people’s taste buds, but also becomes a bridge connecting different cultures and countries.
I Love It！饺子