Ni chī fàn le ma?’ which translates (roughly) to ‘have you eaten rice today?’ is a common Mandarin greeting, this is how important rice is to the Chinese people. Rice is a staple food in Chinese culture, from steamed rice, to fried rice, to sticky rice and even rice noodles. Rice is synonymous with Chinese cuisine, it is filling, and affordable to both grow and eat. It is rich in nutrients, complex carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins, and very healthy. It is also extremely versatile, it can be made to be sweet or savoury. It can also be ground down into flour and then made into a variety of different products, or made into a paste and cut into long strands to make noodles.
The history of rice
Going back more than 10,000 years ago, rice originated from East Asia and it quickly spread across the Asian continent. Rice farming in China dates back to 8000BC and according to Chinese mythology, rice was given as a gift from the animas following a large flood, providing the people of China a plentiful food source. Early varieties of rice were grown along the Yangtze River valley and these were reliant on the seasonal monsoons for irrigation. Over the years, rice became a dietary staple in southern provinces and eventually spread throughout the entire country. As well as providing a massive source of nutrition, rice has also played a significant cultural and economical role in China.
Religion, customs and festivals
In Asian cultures, rice is often associated with fertility for both women and domestic animals. In China there are numerous religious ceremonies held with the aim of encouraging production of rice crops because rice is considered to be sacred, it has shaped traditions and the very culture of China itself. Ceremonies, such as birthdays, weddings and holidays, use rice to express wishes of health, prosperity, luck and success. Red bean rice cakes are shared in birthdays to symbolise blessings of happiness and longevity from the Gods. When babies turn one month old, they are placed in front of numerous items such as money, paintbrushes, string, noodles and rice, and the item that the baby grabs is said to forecast their future. In this case, when rice is selected, it is said to represent a prosperous life for the child, enriched with plentiful food. And sticky rice balls are shared with newlyweds in order to bring sweetness into their journey together. Red-died glutinous rice desserts are shared on holidays such as Valentine’s day to convey wishes of romance and passion. Rice is a staple food product in China that has been woven into the Chinese culture by generations over the centuries.
Varieties of rice
In the Chinese language there are numerous distinct words to define the many types of rice that is cultivated across the country. These types of rice include:
Long Grain Rice: the length of long grain rice is about three to four times as long as it is wide, and it grows in high volumes in the Northern Province. Long grain rice is perfect for dishes such as fried rice.
Medium Grain Rice: this is shorter than long grain rice and had a slightly wider kernel than long grain rice, which creates the perfect texture for porridges and rice congee.
Short Grain Rice: shorter and wider in its kernel size, this type of rice is perfect for desserts and sweets where the rice is required to stick together.
Sticky Rice: this type of rice is particularly sticky when wet. Purple and black sticky rice is used to fill sweet dumplings during Chinese New Year.
Wild Rice: this type of rice grows without any active cultivation and rural communities residing in Southern Provinces harvest this rice for nutrition.
Popular Chinese rice dishes
Not only does rice provide fantastic sustenance, but it also easy to cook and can be transformed into a range of dishes, many of which can be cooked at home. Some of the most popular rice dishes include:
Yangzhou Fried Rice: this salty dish is made with steamed rice, eggs and carrot, and any other meat, fish or vegetables you choose to add, which are then all fried together with a few drops of sesame oil.
Egg Fried Rice: this common dish is a simplified version of Yangzhou Fried Rice. It is salty and aromatic and made with steamed rice, eggs and sometimes sausage or onions and peas, which is then all fried with sesame oil or soy sauce.
Cantonese Clay Pot Rice: this stew is a popular rice dish. Made with long grain rice, cured meat such as chicken or beef, and green vegetables, it is salty and aromatic and delicious.
Rice in an Omelette: this simple Chinese dish originates from Japan. It has a sweet and sour flavour and it made using steamed rice, eggs, sausage, soya beans and corns. The ingredients are fried and removed from the pan, the egg is then fried into a round egg roll and served onto a plate, with the rice and other ingredients put in the middle of the egg roll. The egg roll is then folded in half and sealed with ketchup.
Hainanese Chicken Rice: a salty rice with a chicken flavour, this dish includes chicken, rice, green vegetables, and involves soaking the rice in chicken oil and then steaming the fried rice in chicken soup. This is often served with a dipping sauce.
Taiwanese Braised Pork over Rice (Lu Rou Fan): this salty dish can be stewed or boiled and is made with pork, rice, eggs, onion, garlic and soy sauce, rock candy, five-spiced powder, sesame paste and vinegar.
Rice is the perfect example of how quality food can bring people together. In China, rice is a quality food that has not only been nurturing a population for years, but has actually shaped the national culture of the Chinese people.