Drams for Chinese New Year

 

 

 

I am partial to a Dram and with so many holidays and so many food dishes associated with these holidays and with the luck of being in Hong Kong where we get the best of both worlds, the western and the Asian, where we see both traditions.

 

I know this is of the Dram subject but as they say “knowledge is wealth” so here is a wee list of food items and there definition.

 

Abalone - definite good fortune

Bamboo shoots - wealth

Black moss - wealth

Chicken (whole) - prosperity, togetherness of the family, joy (note: chicken with its head, tail and feet symbolizes completeness)

Fa Gao steamed "Prosperity Cake" - means either "to raise/generate" or "be prosperous"

Fish (whole) - The word yú, meaning "fish", is "remain or surplus", 'having leftover money', an increase in prosperity

Lettuce - prosperity

Mandarins - gold, wealth

Noodles uncut - long life

Oyster, dried - all good things, good luck

Nian gao, Sticky (Rice) cake, Chinese new year's cake. It is considered good luck to eat nian gao because it has the symbolism of increasing prosperity every year

Shitake, Black mushroom - longevity, sizing opportunities

Yuan xiao "round dumplings in soup", sweet dumplings - togetherness, reunion

Tofu, dried - fulfillment of wealth and happiness, blessing the houses

 

 

Beware:
Presenting a ‘whole’ chicken with its head, tail and feet symbolizes completeness

Fresh bean curd / tofu is not included as it is white and unlucky for New Year as the colour signifies death and misfortune.

Fresh fruits symbolize life and new beginnings.

Sugared fruits are supposed to sweeten one’s upcoming year.

Sweets and fruits are served on a round tray, the form resembling togetherness, hence the tray is called the 'Tray of Togetherness'. Sweets offered on the tray add up to the number 8, because eight is a lucky number and symbolizes fortune.

A coin might be hidden in one dumpling, and the person who will find it is supposed to be showered with good fortune and wealth.

 

So without further adoo and talking crap see tomorrow my first Chinese New Year menu dish with a wee dram pairing.

 

The pairing I have to add here is not my scene but a wee dram with some of these food items brings you many things………………..

 

Food to China is as important as Whisky is to Scotland……………