New Year Food: The Harmony of Meaning and Taste

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Many countries have their own special New Year food and there are some beliefs hidden in those foods. New Year Food: The Harmony of Meaning and Taste

New Year Food: The Harmony of Meaning and Taste

We wish you a Merry Christmas

And a Happy New Year..r..r..r...

Oh! Sorry. Do not close this window, you do not visit the wrong column. Welcome to food club, club for both gourmet and goumand and for all who are food lovers. Well, New Year is approaching and I am quite excited. Why? Because I will have New Year's party with my friends. This is the time I have looked forward to, time to show my cooking ability. I do not guarantee that it is good or bad ability. Just want to show, that is all. Anyway, I am still nervous.

The Meaning of Japanese New Year Food
Yam	represent “long life” because Japanese yams have long hairs that look like an old man's moustache
Dried persimmon	represent “long life” because it has shriveled skin like old people's skin. Moreover, persimmon trees also live for long time.
Shrimp	it has long beards and are bent over like an elderly person, so it represent “long life”
Black soyabeans	“Mame” in Japanese word means hard working and also a sign of bodily strength and health
Seaweed roll	represent joy and happiness. Seaweed in Japanese word is “Kombu”. It is the synonym for happiness.
White rice	One stalk of rice gives many grains of rice, so white rice represents the wish for many decentdants
Herring roe	represent the wish for manjy decendants because eggs of these fish are yello and tough to eat.
Bitter oranges	Called “daidai”. This word comes from Chinese and means generation to generation.
Tazukuri	this sweet sardine is very dry, so it represents the hope for good harvests and bumper crops of rice in the new year.

Due to the preparation for menu, I found something interesting. Many countries have their own special New Year food and there are some beliefs hidden in those foods. Traditionally, everyone hoped to get only good things on New Year's day because they believed that what they did or ate on the first day of the year would bring them either good luck or bad luck throughout the year.

For example, most people believe that anything in the circle shape is good luck because it means completing a year's cycle. For that reason, people in Holland believe that eating donuts on New Year's day will bring good fortune.

Moreover, the Dutch belive if they serve “Kassler” (smoked port chops) on that day, they will never run out of available cash. Hog meat and cabbage are also considered good luck in many cultures. Hog meat symbolizes “prosperity” and cabbage is representative of paper currency.

In Japan,“Osechi-ryori” is New Yeaer's food. There are many differenct kinds of dishes packed in a 4 or 5 tiered lunch box called “jubako”. Each dish has its own meaning. The Japanese eat Osechi-ryori during the New Year's holidays, (from 1 until 3 January) so that the mother can completely spend her time with her family instead of in the kitchen.

For Chinese meal, there are also traditional foods always eaten on New Year's day. Each ingredient has its own meaning like other foods in many countries. For example, lotus seed represents having many male offspring. Black moss seaweed signifies excessive wealth. Uncut noodle dishes symbolize long life.

These are only the samples of traditional foods which can represent very well their lifestyle and their cultures. We will see that not only the meaning, In fact, these foods are plenty of nutrients necessary for our bodies.

Ah! I have to go now, there are lots of things to do for the New Year's party. Do not forget that “you are what you do”. Not only in New Year's occasion, you should do good things for your friends, your family, people around you and yourself everyday. I belive that this will bring the real happiness for your whole life . See you next time.

G.Girl

Source:	http://wilstar.com
	http://www.onoshoed.jp
	http://archives.thedaily.washington.edu
	http://www.fuji.co.th
	http://www.educ.uvic.ca/