The Chinese attach many happy and auspicious meanings to carp: the carp crosses the dragon gate.

In the north, especially in North China, carp is more important in traditional festivals and banquets.

Why is carp, the “King of Freshwater Fishes,” not popular now?

1. Carp is the incarnation of good luck. Carp is a kind of fish in the family Cyprinidae. It is native to Asia and is now widely distributed in freshwater waters around the world and is cultured in large quantities.

Carp was first introduced to China from Central Asia and was quickly recognized and loved by the Chinese, giving it the meaning of good luck.

In the Internet age, the koi fish bred by the Japanese have become the national mascot and the embodiment of good luck.

Because "carp" is the same as "profit" and "fish" is the same as "surplus", carp is an indispensable element in traditional Chinese paintings.

2. Foreigners eat carp. Many people think that Westerners do not eat freshwater fish. This is not entirely accurate. At least in many countries in Central and Eastern Europe, carp is still a necessity for Christmas dinner.

Many monasteries in Europe have a tradition of raising carp.

Many people in Poland and Germany also maintain the custom of eating carp for Christmas dinner.

Local fisheries usually catch carp two months in advance and store them in clear ponds to remove the carp's earthy smell.

3. Fewer and fewer people eat carp. Westerners don’t eat carp much, and even fewer and fewer Chinese people eat carp.

Although carp is not one of the four major fish, it is not uncommon in Chinese people’s daily dining tables.

The meat quality and taste of carp are not outstanding, and the meat is very soft. The growth cycle of farmed carp is generally shorter, and the meat quality is even worse.

As a bottom-dwelling fish, algae-eating carp have an earthy smell that exceeds that of ordinary freshwater fish.

To get rid of this earthy taste, carp is cooked with a stronger taste.

Many places require frying before making. For modern families, this operation is too heavy on health, so many people don't eat it.

Carp was originally popular in northern China because it provided more meat under the same conditions.

Nowadays, the taste of carp is not satisfactory, and it is normal for many people to abandon it.