The Ming Dynasty gradually began to pursue the state of life and enjoy delicious food. The food culture of the Ming Dynasty had the thoughts of health preservation, lightness and enjoyment.

1.? Thoughts on health maintenance

The Ming Dynasty physiologist Gao Lian wrote in "Drink, Food, Food Notes": "Diet - the foundation of life... food is used to nourish Qi. , use anger to nourish essence, use essence to nourish qi, use qi to create gods, and use gods to create the whole body."

Gao Lian explained the importance of diet and its benefits to the human body in terms of the structure and function of human organs. In addition, Gao Lian also believed: "Therefore, monks should not avoid eating beautiful food." Directly pointed out Gao Lian's views and opinions on diet. Not all delicacies can be nutritious and concentrated. If the diet does not pay attention to regulations and taboos, it may be life-threatening. Therefore, paying more attention to diet in life is a good way to maintain health and longevity. It has been recorded in "The Book": "Without restraint of raw and cold food, excessive hunger and fullness, diseases will be introduced." As we age, our organs become older and more susceptible to disease. When you are young, you don't pay much attention to your diet. When you are hungry, you should eat a hearty meal and eat more raw and cold food. Because you are young and strong, your kidney energy is full and you are not prone to illness. However, as people age, their qi and blood are weak, their kidney qi fails, and they do not pay attention to their diet, they are prone to contracting serious diseases.

In short, people pay special attention to their personal lives, so they advocate healthy eating. Scholar-officials in the Ming Dynasty paid special attention to diet and had unique insights and views on diet. Zhang Dai wrote in "Mountain Man Zhang Donggu": "I eat every day, but I pay attention to cooking skills, and the chef immediately leaves Jiajiang." Banquets are often held at home, and the wine and dishes are known locally as first-class because of the chef's superb skills and meticulousness. Make.

2.?Plain thoughts

"Plain thoughts" also occupy an indispensable position in the ideological system of the Ming Dynasty. Lu Shusheng wrote in his "Qingshu Bi Tan": "All cooked food... has a strong smell and has lost its original taste. It is obvious that most people's diet is very delicious, and almost all food All have lost their taste. In the long-term eating habits of heavy taste, the taste has gradually become numb. Therefore, health experts have advocated a "light taste" diet and unanimously believe that light taste is people's real taste.

The scholar-officials in the Ming Dynasty believed that eating was a kind of enjoyment and a major pleasure in life. Zhang Dai was especially the representative of the scholar-officials in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties. Historian and writer. He explored famous dishes from all over the country and recorded them in his books. In Zhang Dai's eyes, food is not only for "filling the stomach", but also for people to feel happy. Local specialties such as tangerine peel from Fujian, green roots from Jiangxi, and broccoli from Shanxi are very familiar. In addition, Zhang Dai also changed the cooking method of the food to make it more delicious, which is also his secret recipe.