Adjusting to Spicy Food
When many people visit China, they will sometimes be a little afraid to try some of the more exotic and of course spicy dishes. An unaccustomed palate and stomach may have a hard time coming in to contact with the spice that China can offer. So for those who are travelling around and are feeling daring, there is actually a gentle way to ease into spicy cuisine. Spice is not all bad and once a few hurdles are overcome, a mountain of amazing dishes await the hungry foodie as they explore the great lands of china.
If you’re travelling around the Sichuan province or enter a themed restaurant there is no escape. Prepare for a spicy sensation as almost all dishes will be of the spicy variant. Starting off slowly is the key and slowly easing into a dish. Sometimes a little more rice to mix with dishes will help to cut some of the overpowering spiciness if you’re not used to it. In fact the black pepper corn used in Chinese cooking will actually help to numb and balance the tastes in a meal. As time goes on, an avid spice eater will adjust their system and begin to realise how amazingly tasty the spicy Chinese cuisine really is.
When I started eating spicy food it was a life changing experience and I wondered why I had not tasted this much sooner. Granted I was but a child and my family were considerate of me. Perhaps I was really born to love spice. There are so many dishes to try in china and if one wishes to take a break from all the spice there is plenty on offer. A mixed menu is often lucky to find as many restaurants in china will specialise in a certain cuisine style. This is very different to the Chinese styles hosted around the world that may not really reflect the true cuisine style of china. I love trying different soups, as spicy as they can be there are also rich and savoury flavours to try. The Chinese bun or “Bao” as we call them are also packed with amazing flavours as the stuffing is prepared with a medley of spices and meats or even vegetables. If you fancy a sweet pork bun you may be in luck but don’t feel shy to try a spicy one if it’s on the menu!
