Hui Cuisine: Source of Delicacy and Charm of History徽菜：美味之源，歷史之韻

李文昊

As is known to us all， an increasing number of people are speciallyfond of traditional Chinese cuisines. Among them， Hui cuisine is wellknownfor its unique blend of flavors， colors， and cooking techniques，which is considered one of the eight major cuisines in the country.

Hui cuisine is a combination of three distinct culinary（ 烹飪的）styles： southern Anhui， along the Yangtze River， and along the HuaiRiver. Of these， the southern Anhui style is considered the foundationalsource of Hui cuisine.

With a rich history that can be traced back to the ancient Huizhouregion during the Southern Song Dynasty， Huicuisine has developed over centuries with thetireless efforts of many chefs and it has reachedsuch heights of excellence and popularity.

The formation and development of Hui?cuisine are closely linked to the rise and prosperityof Huizhou merchants（ 徽商）. The wealth ofHuizhou merchants in the world and their lovefor hometown flavors played an important role inthe evolution of Hui cuisine. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties，Huizhou merchants flourished in Yangzhou， Shanghai， and Wuhan，contributing significantly to the promotion and development of Huicuisine.

The features of Hui cuisine are its rich flavors， vibrant（ 鮮艷的） colors， and high heat. Using unique ingredients that areoften local specialties（ 當(dāng)?shù)靥禺a(chǎn)）， it focuses on natural flavorsand nourishing properties（ 滋養(yǎng)特性）. A typical dish is the StinkyMandarin Fish（ 臭鱖魚）， atraditional Hui dish that showsits unique pickling and cookingmethods. This dish is famous for itsrich taste with a hint of sweetnessand spiciness. It is often served withrice or other local dishes， making ita popular choice for many people.

All in all， culture and cuisine go hand in hand. Therefore， Huicuisine is not only a culinary tradition， but also carriesthe folk culture and historical tradition of Anhui. Itsunique flavors， cooking techniques， and presentationmethods make it a must-try for anyone who loves toexplore the diverse flavors of Chinese cuisine.