A return to tradition
In times past, the Mid-Autumn Festival was a cozy evening that saw families gathering together to enjoy the full moon and the holiday’s staple food, moon cakes.
Perfect pairings
We should propose a toast to the person who first discovered the pleasure of eating crab, for this shellfish delicacy is certainly one of life’s greatest gifts. In China, mid-September marks the beginning of the season for one of the tastiest of these hard-shelled creatures: Chinese mitten crab (also called hairy crab). This crustacean delight is traditionally paired with Chinese yellow wine, but the benefits of this combination are not limited to gustatory pleasure alone.
Time to fatten up!
Watching one’s weight is a common preoccupation in many countries, including China, where one often hears women talking about dieting no matter how trim they are. Despite this, there is a Chinese custom called tieqiubiao, literally meaning “add fat in autumn,” that still remains popular today.
Organic addicts
Recent food safety scandals have presented major challenges to shoppers concerned about the provenance and quality of certain items. And while produce certified “organic” or “green” might seem a safer option, many consumers are turned off by their high prices. Thankfully, small-scale farmers’ markets are helping to bridge this gap, with fresh, reasonably-priced produce easily accessible to Shanghai’s urban population.
Book to bring Chinese food culture overseas
A Chinese mainland publisher on Wednesday inked a contract to introduce a recent bestseller on Chinese food culture to Korean readers.
A guide to far-out dining
When dining out in Shanghai, it’s not only the quality of the food that attracts the city’s gourmands. Many enterprising businesses are now alighting on the idea of themed restaurants as a way to attract the city’s spoilt-for-choice foodies. The Global Times sought out some of the more unusual and fascinating themed eateries around Shanghai.
Dew date
Bailu, or “white dews,” will take place on September 7 this year. As the name of this solar term suggests, it is a period when the temperature remains generally warm during the day, while dropping considerably during the night. The moisture in the air condenses during the cold hours of darkness and the following morning droplets of dew can be clearly seen on the grass and leaves.
5th Muslim Diet Festival held in Beijing
Visitors look at the "Roast Lamp Feast" during the 5th Muslim Diet Festival in Beijing, capital of China, August 19, 2012. About 30 local restaurants displayed dishes and cooking methods in the festival. Photo: Xinhua