Wang's Exploration Of The Evolution Of Sichuanese Cuisine

Wang’s exploration of the evolution of Sichuanese cuisine and how it has changed the personal identity of the people of the region examines how the notoriously spicy dishes have evolved into what they are today. He questions the history of the dishes, questioning what the original flavour of Sichuan cuisine was before the introduction of the hot pepper to the region. Wang also delves into how the fruit could have impacted the region so deeply and how it transformed the personal identity of the Sichuan region as well as its residents. Before the introduction of the hot pepper, Sichuan cuisine was more mild as it featured the Sichuan pepper rather than the hot pepper. However, its quick and widespread adaption by the Sichuanese into their everyday …show more content…
The South China Sea Silk routes was an important point of connection for China to exchange with the rest of the world. These routes were concentrated around the South China Seas and the Indian Ocean, with starting points located in ports such as Guangzhou, Quanzhou and Ningbo, linking China’s Southern coast with south- east Asian countries. These routes became for commonly used when wartime interrupted the land routes. With these routes, it is possible that through trades with India or the Spanish Philippines in the 16th century, the hot pepper could have been introduced to China. The meaning of the hot pepper’s name in Chinese alludes to this possibility, as it literally translates to mean the “sea pepper”. The Silk Roads were a trade network that was extremely sophisticated for its time. It was dynamic and technologically sophisticated and allowed the world to become more interconnected. This scale of trading is perhaps the reason behind the introduction of the hot pepper into China. It is amazing to consider that an unassuming plant made its way across nations in the hands of travelling traders to create such a lasting impact upon the Sichuan