The Unique Code of China. How the Philosophy of Taste Shaped Chinese Civilization

The Chinese culinary culture is as popular around the world as its basic principles are little known to foreigners. Far from all gourmets beyond the Great Wall of China realize how diverse the palette of flavors is in this vast region. And how the Chinese food culture is unified in its foundation, tracing back to ancient concepts.

Françoise Sabban, a sinologist and anthropologist, takes us to Chinese cuisine to observe the actions of great professionals from the past and present. She invites us to learn about those who have enjoyed their dishes for centuries: revealing the subtleties of taste sensations among the Chinese, the characteristics of their eating habits, and the rituals of dining. At the same time, the author relates culinary and gastronomic practices to the circumstances and ideas that led to their emergence. After all, in China, the culture of food has always had a social and even political context, as well as a spiritual dimension.

The author creates a grand panorama, encompassing both ancient food traditions and the upheavals of the 20th century, and our times, when China's entry into the ranks of the world's strongest states is accompanied by transformations in the diets of the Chinese. Françoise Sabban manages to identify the cultural codes that have defined important features of Chinese civilization.