Answer to Question 1
a
Answer to Question 2
The basic elements of the Chinese philosophies regarding food are based in the
concept of harmony and balance. The Chinese dualistic philosophy of yin and
yang are important to all of Chinese culture. In food it means a blending of
different foods to bring balance and harmony in the taste of the dish and in the
effects that it has on the human body. Another important Chinese philosophy
which has a lot to do with balance and harmony is the Five Elements. This
philosophy describes relationships between phenomena and food. The elements
are fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. These are connected with the five tastes:
fire-bitter, earth-sweet, metal-spicy and pungent, water-salty, and wood-sour.
These two philosophies (yin/yang, Five Elements) affect all aspects of Chinese
life.