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Chinese cuisine is by far one of the most prolific cuisines in the world. There is a myriad of regions in China, and each one of them has its own cuisine and flavor profile. However, most of these regional cuisines have one thing in common: they use basically the same types of ingredients to flavor their food.
These ingredients are commonly used because they not only enhance the dish’s flavor but are healthy as well. So if you are going to cook any type of Chinese cuisine, you should use them as much as possible. Here are 6 Ingredients in Chinese Cuisine that are good for your health.
Soy Sauce
Soy Sauce is by far the most well-used ingredient in Chinese cuisines. It is used as a base, seasoning, coloring, and a condiment. It is made from fermented soybeans, It usually has a dark brownish color, and has an umami flavor.
Soy is used in various dishes such as soups, noodles, spring rolls, and dumplings. Of all the common Chinese ingredients, soy sauce is by far the most versatile and mass-produced.
As far as storage is concerned, it is best that you use low-cost glass vases or bottles when you store them because they have a tendency to stain their containers.
Health Benefits:
- Some studies show that soy sauce could help reduce the risk of breast cancer.
- Soy sauce can help in weight loss.
- It can make digestion more efficient.
- Soy sauce can help reduce cholesterol.
Shaoxing Wine
Although Shaoxing wine is not as well-known as other wines, it is a staple in most Chinese dishes.
Think of it as Chinese cuisine’s main cooking wine. It is made from fermented rice, and it has a cloudy consistency, with a sweet and pleasant smell.
They are usually used as a base in Chinese cuisine and give the dishes a sweet and fragrant aroma.
Health Benefits:
- Shaoxing wine has antioxidants that can help prevent high blood pressure and certain kinds of cancers.
- It can help improve blood circulation. You should make it a habit to drink at least one glass of Shaoxing wine every day.
- Shaoxing wine is known to have a good degree of fiber, which helps make your metabolism a lot more efficient.
Peanut Oil
Peanut oil is yet another staple in Chinese cuisine. This type of oil has a high burning point, which makes it perfect for deep frying applications.
Chinese dishes such as spring rolls, egg rolls, and sweet and sour pork require peanut oil in vast quantities.
Health Benefits:
- It has a low caloric count.
- Peanut oil is extremely rich in antioxidants that can help prevent cancer.
- It has cholesterol blocking compounds that can help prevent hypertension.
Rice Vinegar
Rice vinegar is made from fermented rice and is used as a flavoring and a condiment in Chinese cuisine. The ingredient has a sweet and sour that makes it perfect for both stews and noodle-based dishes.
Health Benefits:
- Rice vinegar has a good amount of acetic acid, which can help enhance the digestive system.
- It has a good supply of amino acids that can prevent the build of fatigue causing acids such as lactic acid.
- Rice vinegar has great weight loss properties.
- Rice Vinegar has a lot of antioxidants, so drinking rice vinegar on a daily basis can help prevent various forms of cancer.
Star Anise
Star Anise is a star-shaped pericarp that is used in various Chinese dishes. It has a fragrance that makes it perfect for meat dishes because it takes away any hint of gaminess from the dish. When used in a dish, star anise is used in small quantities because it can have a very overpowering taste. Star anise is also used to infuse soups and stews. They can be dropped whole or chopped and ground for a finer flavor.
Health Benefits:
- Star Anise contains a lot of antioxidants, which gives them ant-cancer properties.
- It contains shikimic acid, which has various anti-viral properties. Using star anise in your dishes can help you fight off the flu.
- Star Anise contains antibacterial properties that inhibit bacterial growth. These properties help stop the growth of disease-causing organisms.
Garlic
Garlic is one of the most commonly used ingredients in the world, and it is used in sauteing and sweating meats and vegetables.
However, it has an especially revered position in Chinese cuisine. Garlic has been used in Chinese cuisine for over 5000 years and it makes up most of the flavor profile in various regions of China. Garlic is especially prevalent in Chinese stir-fries, noodles, and other meat dishes.
Health Benefits:
- Garlic can be considered as a kind of superfood because it has a low caloric count and yet has a very high nutritional value
- .Garlic has active compounds that can help reduce blood pressure.
- It is advisable to consume high doses of garlic every day because it can help reduce cholesterol levels.
- Garlic has a myriad of medicinal properties that have been used in various health supplements.
Conclusion
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Chinese cuisine is prolific and multifaceted, and there are so many variations to it. However, no matter how diverse the food is, it still has the same flavor profile. It still has the same core group of ingredients that are known for their incredible tastes and health benefits. With this list of ingredients, you’ll be able to create great Chinese cuisine and stay healthy at the same time.
