2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
The Chinese believe that we are surrounded by five energy fields or five different types of qi. They are also called five elements and play an important role in all aspects of Chinese culture, including the way people eat. This theory states that if these five elements are changed or moved, it can seriously affect a person's destiny.
The five elements are also known as the five phases, the five motions, the five forces, the five processes, and the five planets. If the concept of yin and yang is the center of Chinese culture, the theory of the five elements should be considered a cornerstone.
But what exactly are the five elements of Chinese cuisine and how do they play a role in it?
Chinese theory of the five elements
The five elements are metal, wood, water, fire and earth. The Chinese use this theory for many things, from the interaction between internal organs, to politics, and from Chinese medicine to cooking and food.
Just like finding the perfect balance between yin and yang, it is about trying to find the perfect balance between the five elements.
There are two main relationships between these elements. One is called mutual generation and the other is called mutual overcoming.
Examples of mutual generation:
The wood makes the fire stronger.
The metal improves water quality.
Water helps the tree to grow.
Example of overcoming each other:
The earth can stop the water.
Water can stop a fire.
The fire can melt the metal.
The metal can cut wood.
The five elements in Chinese cuisine
Chinese herbalists and healers believe that for the proper treatment of the patient you need to be aware of the condition of the five elements in his body. Any deficiency or excess of an element can lead to disease.
The five elements also represent our five main organs: lung (metal), liver (wood), kidney (water), heart (fire) and spleen (earth).
The five elements also represent five different colors: white (metal), green (wood), black / blue (water), red (fire) and yellow (earth). In Chinese medicine and cooking, it is believed that if you are weak or sick in certain parts of your body or organs, you need to consume certain colors / elements of food to feel better and improve your health. For example, if you have kidney problems, you should eat more food that is black or blue.
Red / Fire / Food for the heart
The Chinese believe that eating food that is red in color is good for the heart, small intestine and brain. Foods that fall into this category include carrots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, strawberries, chili, red beans, paprika, goji berry, apple, brown sugar and many more.
Green / Wood / Liver Food
If you eat green food, it is good for the liver, bile, eyes, muscles and joints. The list of green foods can be endless. Some of the main ingredients used in Chinese food are mung beans, Chinese leeks, wasabi and all green vegetables and fruits.
Yellow / Earth / Spleen Food
According to this theory, yellow food is good for the digestive system and spleen. You can eat things like sweet corn, yellow sweet potatoes, oats, pumpkin, yellow pepper, soy, egg yolk, cottage cheese, ginger, orange, lemon, pineapple, papaya, honey and more.
White / Metal / Lung foods
If you eat white food, it will benefit the lungs, colon, nose, respiratory system and skin. White foods include rice and noodles, lotus seeds, onions, garlic, bitter melon, winter melon, broccoli, bamboo shoots, milk, tofu, soy milk, Asian pear, banana, almonds and more.
Black / water / kidney food
Black and blue foods are good for your kidneys, bones, ears and reproductive organs. Black or navy blue foods aren't that numerous, but the list includes some great options. Look for seaweed, shiitake mushrooms, eggplant, black beans, raisins, blueberries, black grapes, black sesame seeds, black vinegar, tea, sweet bean sauce and more.
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