Popular Chinese regional cuisine: Cantonese

The most popular regional cuisine of china is the Cantonese cuisine. The cuisine is found in the southern part of the country in the Canton region. The basic characters of Cantonese cuisine are the use of various foods and simple spices to prepare dishes of these cuisines. Easy availability of food items in the region and its close proximity with sea has enabled the use of these food items in the cuisine to such an extent. Another important aspect of cantons cuisine is that the food items are able to retain their natural flavors as thee use of spices is minimal. This is further complimented by use of fast cooking techniques and various light sauces.
Cantonese cuisine is considered relatively bland in flavor when compared to the Hunan or the Szechwan style of cooking. These two are much richer is texture and use more spicier ingredients during their making. Whereas, in Cantonese cooking subtle and simple spices are used like salt, white pepper, ginger, soy sauce etc.
Hospitality and guest care is of prime importance according to the Chinese culture. They have to be treated with utmost respect and honor, anything less than that is considered display of rude behavior in front of the guest. This aspect is carried in their cuisines as well. The making of the dishes is an elaborate process and the cooking style is such that it would maintain the original flavor of the food despite being cooked. Lot of attention is give to factors like texture of the dish, presentation shape, aroma, etc.
The most important aspect of the Cantonese cooking is the freshness of the food that is used in cooking. So much so that guests are shown live fishes or crabs as a proof before they are being cooked. Similar care is taken in cases of vegetables as well, and faster cooking techniques make sure that the original freshness of the food items remains intact.
Fresh foods used in cooking are used in tandem with light spices and seasonings but in cases of stale or kept seafood, thicker sauces and spices are used to cover the natural odour of the dish.
The most common accompaniments of the Cantonese dishes are tea or wine and are served with boiled rice. The Cantonese cuisine is very famous and widely acceptable. It is because of all these factors that it is one of the preferred cuisines not only in china but also in other countries across the world.