Rice is the basic food of the Chinese people. Most families eat rice two or three times a day, and Chinese cooks always have a large store of rice on hand. Rice noodles, rice flour, rice vinegar, and rice wine are all used in Chinese cooking. In fact, rice is so central to the cuisine that the Cantonese word for “rice,” fan, is also used to mean “food.” Before beginning a family meal, every diner traditionally invites each of his or her elders to sik fan, or “eat rice.” This custom can take quite a while at a large gathering!
           In addition to rice, tea has been an integral part of Chinese life for centuries. There are many kinds of Chinese tea, but the three main varieties are oolong, black, and green. Oolong, which is especially popular in China, is a pale brown tea with a distinctive flavor often compared to that of fresh peaches. Black teas have a stronger taste, while green teas have a fresh, light flavor. Jasmine-scented green tea has a delicate, flowerlike taste and aroma. Most tea is grown in southern and eastern China, and much of the harvest is still picked by hand. Selecting the best leaves and carefully preparing them is part of the Chinese appreciation for this much-loved beverage. Tea is drunk everywhere in China at all times of the day and evening, and no social gathering is complete without a pot of hot tea.

Rice


This recipe is for plain, delicious white rice.Any leftovers can be used to make fried rice , so you will seldom have to waste this versatile food.

The Chinese base food-rice

1. Place rice in a pan or bowl and wash with cold water. Run your hands through rice and drain when water for washing water becomes cloudy. Repeat until water is clear.
2. Place rice and 3 c. water in a deep saucepan. Do not cover.
3. Put the pan over high heat and bring water to a boil.
4. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes.
5. Cover pan tightly and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, or until all water has been absorbed.

 Tea

Chinese tea usually comes in loose form rather than in tea bags. It is always drunk plain, without sugar, lemon, or milk.The following method of preparing tea will give the best results.

The Chinese base food-tea

1.In a teakettle or saucepan, bring water to a boil.
2.Rinse a teapot (earthenware or china is better than metal) with a small amount of the boiling water.
3.Measure loose tea into the pot. One teaspoon of tea for each cup of water is a good rule of thumb, but the exact amount is really up to your own taste. Youll probably have to experiment a little to brew it just the way you like.
4.Pour boiling water into the teapot, cover, and let stand for a few minutes.
5.Pour tea into cups.

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