Preface 1
The Origins of Food and Drink Culture 7
Tracing the Origins of Foods 9
Foods from Outside China 18
Fine Ware for Eating 23
Food and Drink Traditions 31
The Good Cheer of Eating Together 32
The Taste of Home Cooking 39
Seasonal Delicacies 45
Interesting Food Customs 53
The Rituals of the Table 61
Balancing the Five Flavours 66
Secrets of Delicacies 73
Food and Health 85
Food Taboos 92
A Gastronomic Tour of China 103
The True Pleasure of Drinking One's Fill 115
The Art of Tea 116
Wine,the Beverage of Romance 129
New Dining Trends 141
Appendix:Chronological Table of the Chinese Dynasties 152