Peking duck – a dish with a history of hundreds of years

Peking duck is one of the famous dishes of the Chinese people. Nowadays, the popularity of this famous dish is increasingly widespread. Not simply a dish with a strong Chinese flavor, Peking duck also has a profound meaning and contains historical value of up to hundreds of years.

Peking duck

From Asia to Europe and America, Peking duck always captures the hearts of many food lovers. In important parties, Chinese people use this dish to entertain. Thanks to its delicious, attractive, rich flavor, Peking duck is also chosen by Vietnamese people. The history of the formation and development of Peking duck will truly surprise those who love the fatty and fragrant flavor of this famous dish.

The historical journey of the dish that made Chinese cuisine famous

According to culinary expert Hu Sihui, roast duck appeared in China around 420 – 589. However, it was not until the Yuan Dynasty (1271 – 1368) that it appeared on the menu of the emperor. In the book described by culinary expert Hu Sihui, the recipe for this roast duck dish is very complicated. The duck is put into the stomach of a sheep and then roasted.

Peking duck first appeared during the Ming Dynasty, which was then headquartered in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. When the Ming Dynasty moved its capital to Beijing, China, roast duck was brought along. This dish was served in the Ming Dynasty palace and developed into the Qing Dynasty. After that, Peking duck appeared on the dinner tables of the Chinese upper class. To this day, the dish has gradually become popular in many countries around the world.

Peking duck is widely used in banquets

In each country, Peking duck will be modified to suit the taste of the local people, but the original flavor and processing techniques that have been formed and developed for thousands of years are still preserved. Peking duck also plays an important role in China’s diplomatic banquets with foreign politicians. Former Cuban President Fidel Castro, former US President Richard Nixon, and former US National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger were treated to Peking duck when they visited China.

Peking duck contains the essence of Chinese cuisine

Peking duck represents the main values ​​in Chinese cuisine: delicious, beautiful, and nutritious. According to traditional methods, the duck used must be white-feathered duck raised in a natural environment for about 45 days. After that, you have to force them to eat until they are full for about 15 – 20 days, then slaughter them, marinate them with spices, pump air into the skin to separate the fat, hang them to dry and brush them with honey before roasting. There are usually 2 ways to roast ducks: the traditional way of roasting directly on charcoal fire or using a hanging roaster.

The spices to marinate the duck will include malt, red vinegar, sugar, salt, and five-spice powder. A delicious roast duck has a shiny, honey-brown, crispy skin and the meat inside is soft and fragrant.

The Chinese way to enjoy Peking roast duck is to take a piece of duck meat with a shiny, crispy skin, place it on a silver cake with onions and cucumbers, roll it tightly and dip it in sauce. The traditional sauce is made from fermented soybeans crushed and mixed with garlic or the modern sauce includes crushed garlic, sesame oil and soy sauce.

How to enjoy Peking duck

Beijing duck is not just a dish, it also contains the historical and cultural values ​​of China. Over the course of history, the dish has proven its appeal and influence. Today, you can easily find Peking duck on the menus of many restaurants around the world.