Cultural Characteristics Of Chinese Minority Diet

This dissertation is composed of six parts. Before the subsequent text consisting of five chapters, the first section——introduction briefs on the significance and objectives of choosing this subject, latest research in this field, study approaches adopted by the author as well as author's comments on this research.The body of this paper can be divided into five chapters each of which specifies one certain characteristic of the food or drink of ethnic minorities in China. Since "ethnic minority" is conceptualized by comparing with Han, traits of catering culture of the former is therefore summarized in comparison with that of latter.Feature 1. Ethnic minorities have contributed a lot to tea culture. Three aspects give testimony to this argument:Yunnan is the source place of tea where certain groups of people are among the first to cultivate tea plant; there exists a variety of fashions of drinking and eating tea leaves, also several sets of etiquettes and ceremonies related to tea using are popular within this area.Feature 2. Ethic minorities have great share in wine culture. To illustrate this trait four sub-arguments are given. Historically, the forebears of ethnic minorities brewed the first cup of wine. They now boast a cluster of specialties of alcohol and toasting songs. In addition, wine is commonly used in their daily life and important ceremonies.Feature 3. Ethnic minorities practicing Islam bring about unique Muslim foods in China. Moslem bible clarifies a rigid system of rules on Muslim food complemented by traditional Chinese understanding and management system of them. What's more, several cuisine and specialties add extra radiance to Muslim food in China.Feature 4. People from ethnic minorities dine together frequently. Civil luncheon among ethnic minorities are held on various occasions in diversified forms most of which signify great cultural significanceFeature 5. Great changes that are worth studying have taken place in the catering culture of ethnic minorities in China. On one hand changes in dietary structure cooking utensils and tableware have been most obvious in the past 30 years or so. On the other, catering industry featuring staffs and specialties of ethnic minorities is booming in Chinese urban areas.