Rice

Rice is the staple of China, and for the majority of its people, except the northerners, it is the foundation of the Chinese diet. Unlike bread, a staple that plays a secondary role in Western cooking, rice is an integral part of every meal. Not only are many dishes created especially to “send down the rice,” but also many tasty dishes cannot be fully appreciated without the contrast of the natural taste and fluffy texture of rice. And, beyond taste, rice is the bulk of a family meal. The main dishes are there to please the palate, but most Chinese feel that they haven’t really eaten if they haven’t had their bowls of pearly-white grains.