CATDOLL : CATDOLL: What do you think are the top Chinese ingredients?

China is a world-famous country for its delicious food. It is a country with so many delicious foods. The ingredients of the food can be so high-end that the poor cannot afford it, and can also be so cheap that the rich do not want to eat it. But what are the top-quality ingredients that some people "stay away from"?

1. Yellow croaker

Yellow croaker is a national second-class protected animal and a unique fish species in China. It is regarded as a top-grade tonic mainly because its fish maw (commonly known as "fish glue") is very precious and is said to be "as expensive as gold". An American media published 9 of the most expensive foods in the world, among which the golden croaker (yellow croaker) is among them, with each pound of fish meat costing $714. The fish maw of yellow croaker is in the shape of a petal, and tastes smooth and greasy. It has the special effect of nourishing the body and promoting blood circulation. It can be made into the "maw" in the traditional Chinese "abalone, shark fin and fish maw", and is considered to be the best fish maw.

2. Gold foil

Edible gold originated in China during the Qin and Han dynasties. 60% of the world's gold foil is produced in Longtan Town, Nanjing, China. Gold foil costs about $15,000 per pound and is only one ten-thousandth of a millimeter thick, so thin that it is transparent to light. Gold foil has a wide range of uses and can be added to wine, pastries, cakes, coffee, tea, hot pot, cooking, condiments, cosmetics, and bath additives.

3. Pufferfish

Generally, fish are freshest within 4-5 hours of death, after which the meat becomes stiff and affects the taste. However, pufferfish is different. Its meat is firm and will soften 24-36 hours after death, which is when it tastes the most tender. However, the processing method of pufferfish is very strict. Chefs who cook pufferfish must undergo special training and obtain professional qualifications. There are also many cooking methods, including frying, hot pot, soup, porridge, grilling, sashimi, etc. Among them, pufferfish sashimi is the most famous.

4. Mullet roe

Mullet roe is produced in abundance in Taiwan. It is a delicacy made from the eggs of female mullet. Because it looks like Chinese ink, the Japanese call mullet roe "Tang ink" and regard it as one of the three major delicacies in the world. Mullet roe is amber in color and is considered the best. It is almost transparent, egg-shaped, plump and firm, and has a moderate hardness. It has a unique flavor and a unique taste when chewed. It leaves a lingering fragrance in the mouth. The traditional way to eat it is to bake it and add seasonings.

5. Hainan Dongshan Mountain Sheep

Hainan Dongshan goat is mainly produced in Dongshan Ridge in Wanning, Hainan, so it is simply called "Dongshan goat" by the locals. Dongshan goat jumps between rocks during the day and climbs up to eat. It roosts on the mountain at night, eats young leaves and grass fruits when hungry, and drinks mountain spring water when thirsty. Its fur is shiny black, its physique is strong, and its meat is tender and plump. It is known as the "Four Famous Hainan Dishes" along with Jiaji duck, Hele crab, and Wenchang chicken. As early as the Song Dynasty, Hainan Dongshan goat was listed as a tribute to the royal family. Dongshan goat is often made into braised Dongshan goat, white-cut Dongshan goat, and clear-boiled Dongshan goat. No matter which one, the skin is smooth and the meat is tender, fat but not greasy, lean but not dry, fresh and fragrant, and has become one of the most popular Hainan delicacies.

6. Snow clam

Snow clam, scientifically known as the Northeast Forest Rana, is a precious frog species that grows in the forest areas of Northeast China. This frog often feeds on insects and wild fruits. Because it is extremely cold-resistant, it can hibernate for up to five months in the Northeast in winter at temperatures of dozens of degrees below zero, hence the name "snow clam". It has a history of thousands of years of consumption in my country. It was listed as a court tribute during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is known as "soft gold" and "animal ginseng" in medicine. The most common ways to eat snow clam are stewed snow clam with papaya, snow clam and white fungus soup, etc. The stewed snow clam is sweet and smooth, and has the effects of nourishing yin and liver, strengthening the body and improving essence, and beautifying the skin.

7. Taihu Whitebait

Whitebait, commonly known as noodle fish, is about seven to ten centimeters long, slightly round in shape, and shaped like a jade hairpin. It is silvery white and almost transparent, hence the name whitebait. During the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, whitebait was listed as a tribute and was called one of the "Three Treasures of Taihu Lake" along with white shrimp and whitewater fish.

Taihu whitebait is soft and delicate, tender, scaleless and thornless, and can be used to make a variety of delicious dishes, such as whitebait fried eggs, whitebait with yellow vegetables, lotus whitebait, whitebait soup, etc., which are all famous Taihu flavor delicacies. It is delicious and nutritious, and is known as the "Queen of Fishes".

my country's snack industry is very developed, and there are countless famous foods in history, which really satisfy our appetite. Many foreign friends love our snacks very much, to the point of lingering. So what are the top ten traditional famous foods in my country?

1. Lanzhou Beef Noodles

Lanzhou Ramen

It is said that Lanzhou ramen has existed in my country since the Tang Dynasty. According to historical records, Lanzhou ramen evolved from beef noodle soup. After thousands of years of continuous improvement, it is famous for its tender meat, fresh soup and fine noodles. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty loved Lanzhou ramen very much. For this reason, he specially invited a Lanzhou ramen chef to bring him back to the palace to make noodles for him. Today, Lanzhou ramen is very popular all over the world and is known as the best noodle in China.

2 Shandong pancakes

Shandong pancake

Shandong pancakes originated in Mount Tai. Shandong pancakes are made from grains and cereals. They are the favorite of ordinary people in Shandong. They are delicious when rolled with green onions or other vegetables. Shandong pancakes are thin and crispy, rich in nutrition, and help digestion. Eating Shandong pancakes is very helpful for people with indigestion. Shandong pancakes are also a famous delicacy in my country.

Chongqing hot and sour rice noodles

Chongqing hot and sour rice noodles

Hot and sour rice noodle first spread among the people of Sichuan. Its main raw material is sweet potato rice noodle, and its taste is mainly sour and spicy. After years of adjustment and continuous improvement, it has gradually entered the street market and become a special snack in the streets and alleys. Hot and sour rice noodle is the first choice for people who like to eat sour and spicy food. Hot and sour rice noodle is made of sweet potato rice noodle with more than 20 condiments such as red pepper and vinegar, which brings out the deliciousness of hot and sour rice noodle to the extreme, making people feel refreshed after eating it!

Four Guilin Rice Noodles

Guilin Rice Noodles

Guilin rice noodles are the best in my country, with a unique flavor. They are made from high-quality rice, which is ground, dried, kneaded into dough, cooked, and pressed into round strips. Rice noodles are white, tender, smooth and refreshing, and can be eaten in a variety of ways. The most common way is to cook them with brine, which is very appetizing.

Five hot dry noodles

Hot Noodles with Sesame Paste

Hot dry noodles is the most famous snack in Wuhan and the main food that Wuhan people cannot live without. In their hearts, hot dry noodles is the representative of national famous food, and hot dry noodles fully reflects the characteristics of Wuhan snacks. Hot dry noodles are thin and chewy, yellow and greasy, and delicious. Mixed with sesame oil, sesame sauce, dried shrimps and various pickles, it is a kind of enjoyment to eat. Hot dry noodles show the strong nostalgia of Wuhan to people all over the country.

Liuhanzhong hot noodle

Hanzhong hot noodles

Hanzhong hot noodles are a famous snack in Hanzhong, southern Shaanxi. It is said that people have been making Hanzhong hot noodles since the Qin Dynasty. It has a long history! The main raw material is rice. The method is generally to soak the rice and grind it into rice paste, steam it in a steamer into thin skin, apply rapeseed oil while it is hot, cut it into strips, add various seasonings according to personal taste and mix well before eating. There are many ways to eat it. It can be eaten hot or cold. It can also be dried and fried.

Seven Ningbo Glutinous Rice Balls

Ningbo Glutinous Rice Balls

Tangyuan is a famous snack in Ningbo and one of the famous snacks in my country. It is said that Tangyuan originated in the Song Dynasty and has a very long history. It is a snack invented by the local people of Ningbo. It uses fruit pulp as stuffing, then rolls it into balls in glutinous rice flour and cooks it in boiling water. It tastes sweet and delicious. Because the tangyuan will float up when cooked in boiling water, people called it floating yuanzi in the early days, and later changed it to yuanxiao. Unlike northerners who only eat tangyuan during the Lantern Festival, Ningbo people will gather their families together to eat tangyuan during the Spring Festival.

Eight fried dough sticks

Fried dough sticks

Fried dough sticks are one of the traditional popular foods in my country. They are cheap, crispy and delicious, and easy to make. Fried dough sticks have a very long history. In ancient my country, fried dough sticks were called "Hanju". Fried dough sticks were already a very popular snack in the Tang Dynasty.

Jiuxi'an Spicy Soup

Xi'an spicy soup

Hu La Tang is a classic snack of Shaanxi people. It is the essence of Shaanxi snacks. In Xi'an, you can find Hu La Tang in almost every street and alley. If you walk in the streets and alleys of Xi'an, you can smell the aroma of Hu La Tang everywhere. You can hear the loud shouting of Hu La Tang chefs on the street at any time. This is also a beautiful scenery in the local area. Now Hu La Tang is very popular in many areas in the north.

Ten glutinous rice balls

Glutinous rice balls

Glutinous rice balls are a must-have for breakfast for old Shanghainese. Glutinous rice balls are made by grinding the best glutinous rice into powder, then cooking it in a pot. You can put some pickled mustard tubers, fried dough sticks, or some desserts on top according to your taste. It tastes sticky but not greasy, and is particularly refreshing. You can see glutinous rice balls being sold everywhere at breakfast stalls in Shanghai. Glutinous rice balls are a must-have for old Shanghainese.

Gold Leaf

Edible gold originated in China during the Qin and Han dynasties. 60% of the world's gold foil is produced in Longtan Town, Nanjing, China. Gold foil costs about $15,000 per pound and is only one ten-thousandth of a millimeter thick, so thin that it is transparent to light. Gold foil has a wide range of uses and can be added to wine, pastries, cakes, coffee, tea, and hot pot.

Mullet roe is a delicacy made from the eggs of female mullet. Because of its shape like Chinese ink, the Japanese call mullet roe "Tang ink" and regard it as one of the three major delicacies in the world. Mullet roe is amber in color and is considered the best quality. It is almost transparent, egg-shaped, plump and firm, and has a moderate hardness. It has a unique flavor and a unique taste when chewed. It leaves a lingering fragrance in the mouth. The traditional way to eat it is to bake it and add seasoning.

There are many top-quality ingredients in China, and it may take a long time to list them all. However, in my opinion, the top-quality ingredients in China are seafood. For example, pufferfish, mullet, snapper, tiger grouper, conger eel, swimming crab, sea bass, etc.

Cute pufferfish

Fresh tiger grouper

Wild starfish

Delicious swimming crab

Belt-like moray eel

Seafood is not only delicious, but also contains a lot of protein and various trace elements needed by the human body, and very little fat. You don’t have to worry about gaining weight even if you eat more. It can be regarded as China’s top-quality food.

Of course, China's top ingredients are not just seafood, but also various kinds of meat, but I don't recommend it. Because if you eat too much of these meats, you will easily become a fat cat. What do you think?

In my eyes, any Chinese food is top quality.

The real top-quality ingredients do not mean using those so-called unconventional ingredients such as foie gras, truffles, bear paws, etc., but making ordinary ingredients extraordinary. This is the top-quality food. In this respect, China's food culture is more than one level higher than the so-called Michelin restaurant.

Take the famous boiled cabbage for example, it is made with cabbage and then poured with the thick soup made from pork elbow and chicken. It is bright in color and delicious in taste. This is the top food. It is much better than those so-called caviar and black truffle.

In China, it is meaningless to look for the so-called top ingredients in the West. Chinese cuisine, with eight major cuisines, is extensive and profound. Any dish made with simple ingredients is much better than those made with top ingredients in the West.