The commonly held notion that they
were invented in China typically comes from the fact that they are
primarily served in American Chinese restaurants. However, you will
not find fortune cookies in actual Chinese restaurants, nor will you
find historical records of a similar food item in China.
The largest manufacturer of fortune cookies, Wonton Food, based in
New York, even once tried to introduce fortune cookies to the
Chinese in the late 1980s. After three years, they gave up, as they
simply were not a popular food item in China.
The people often credited with inventing fortune cookies were
Japanese immigrants to America. Fortune cookies were actually
invented in Japan.
A researcher, Yasuko Nakamachi, encountered a fortune cookie-shaped
cracker, called a Tsujiura Senbei, made by hand in a family bakery
near a Shinto shrine outside of Kyoto, Japan. This cracker, not only
looked like a fortune cookie, it also contained a fortune, called an
“omikuji” (fortune slip), and was traditionally sold in shrines and
temples.
Around 3 billion fortune cookies are consumed annually world-wide,
with most consumed in the United States. Wonton Food produces around
4.5 million fortune cookies per day.
As an aside, Chop Suey, which translates to “break into many
pieces,” is commonly believed to be a Chinese food invented in
America. Not so. It was invented in Taishan, a district of Guangdong
Province, China.
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Oct 25, 2012
Feb 21, 2012
China and USA Facts
China produced 19.8 percent of all the goods consumed in the world last year while the United States only produced 19.4 percent.
The U.S. trade deficit with China in 2010 was 27 times larger than it was back in 1990.
The U.S. trade deficit with China in 2010 was 27 times larger than it was back in 1990.
Aug 26, 2011
Pencils and Erasers
In 1858, there were lead pencils and there were erasers. That year, Hymen Lipman received his patent for putting the two together. A few years later, in 1862 Lipman sold his patent to Joseph Reckendorfer for $100,000. that was quite a fortune at the time.
Reckendorfer sued the pencil company Faber for infringement. The Supreme Court of the United States ruled against Reckendorfer declaring the patent invalid, because his invention was actually a combination of two already known things with no new use. Faber is still in business making pencils and crayons.
The word "pencil" derives from the Latin word "pencillus", meaning tail or little brush. A typical pencil can draw a line 35 miles long, or write about 45,000 words. You cannot get lead poising from pencils, because they do not contain lead. More than half of all pencils are made in China. The typical six sided pencil uses less wood to make than round, is easier to sharpen, and has better grip to not roll off of a surface. There is no reason for the yellow color and many countries do not paint their pencils yellow.
Reckendorfer sued the pencil company Faber for infringement. The Supreme Court of the United States ruled against Reckendorfer declaring the patent invalid, because his invention was actually a combination of two already known things with no new use. Faber is still in business making pencils and crayons.
The word "pencil" derives from the Latin word "pencillus", meaning tail or little brush. A typical pencil can draw a line 35 miles long, or write about 45,000 words. You cannot get lead poising from pencils, because they do not contain lead. More than half of all pencils are made in China. The typical six sided pencil uses less wood to make than round, is easier to sharpen, and has better grip to not roll off of a surface. There is no reason for the yellow color and many countries do not paint their pencils yellow.
Jul 15, 2011
What is a Donkra
May 10, 2011
Six China Facts
China's economy grew 316% vs. 43% in the US, during the past ten years.
85% of artificial Christmas trees in the US are made in China.
80% of Christmas toys in the US are made in China.
China raises more pigs than the next 43 pig growing countries combined.
US fastest high speed train is half fast compared to China's, 150 to 302mph.
During the next 15 years, China will build enough new skyscrapers to fill ten New York size cities.
85% of artificial Christmas trees in the US are made in China.
80% of Christmas toys in the US are made in China.
China raises more pigs than the next 43 pig growing countries combined.
US fastest high speed train is half fast compared to China's, 150 to 302mph.
During the next 15 years, China will build enough new skyscrapers to fill ten New York size cities.
Jan 21, 2011
What Did You Say
There are 292 spoken languages in China. I thought the US had many at 175. That's not even counting local dialects, Y'all.
Jun 18, 2010
Diet Coke With Bacon
The Coca-Cola company supposedly tested it’s latest extension to the brand, Diet Coke with Bacon in test markets across the world including the UK, China, Australia and Africa in 2007.
Alas, it seems to be untrue. However here are some real Diet Coke flavors:
* Diet Coke Cherry
* Diet Coke Black Cherry Vanilla
* Diet Coke Raspberry
* Diet Coke Lemon
* Diet Coke Lime
Alas, it seems to be untrue. However here are some real Diet Coke flavors:
* Diet Coke Cherry
* Diet Coke Black Cherry Vanilla
* Diet Coke Raspberry
* Diet Coke Lemon
* Diet Coke Lime
Mar 15, 2010
China Dogs
The Chinese government is considering legislation that would make eating cats and dogs illegal.
Eating dog meat is a long-standing culinary tradition not just in China, but also Korea, and the Philippines. Cat meat can be found on the menu in China, Vietnam, Philippines, and even parts of South America.
"The dogs you raise at home, you shouldn't eat," said Pan, a butcher who declined to give his first name. "The kind raised for eating, we can eat those." Many dogs and cats sold for meat are specially raised on farms.
The ban on eating dog and cat meat is part of a larger proposal to toughen laws on animal welfare. Individual violators could face up to 15 days in prison and a small fine. Businesses found guilty of selling the meat risk fines up to 500,000 yuan ($73,500).
Restaurants won't necessarily need to change their menus immediately. According to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the law prohibiting cat and dog meat could take as long as a decade to pass.
However, to avoid upsetting international visitors during the Beijing Olympics, officials ordered dog meat off the menus at local markets. Officials in Guangzhou have warned vendors to stop selling it ahead of the Asian Games which will be held there later this year. Reminds me of what Utah did for drinking as a prelude to its Winter Olympic bid. It's true that money talks, even to religions and Communists.
Eating dog meat is a long-standing culinary tradition not just in China, but also Korea, and the Philippines. Cat meat can be found on the menu in China, Vietnam, Philippines, and even parts of South America.
"The dogs you raise at home, you shouldn't eat," said Pan, a butcher who declined to give his first name. "The kind raised for eating, we can eat those." Many dogs and cats sold for meat are specially raised on farms.
The ban on eating dog and cat meat is part of a larger proposal to toughen laws on animal welfare. Individual violators could face up to 15 days in prison and a small fine. Businesses found guilty of selling the meat risk fines up to 500,000 yuan ($73,500).
Restaurants won't necessarily need to change their menus immediately. According to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the law prohibiting cat and dog meat could take as long as a decade to pass.
However, to avoid upsetting international visitors during the Beijing Olympics, officials ordered dog meat off the menus at local markets. Officials in Guangzhou have warned vendors to stop selling it ahead of the Asian Games which will be held there later this year. Reminds me of what Utah did for drinking as a prelude to its Winter Olympic bid. It's true that money talks, even to religions and Communists.
Dec 15, 2009
Toy Imports
$4.3 billion was spent for toy imports including stuffed toys, puzzles and electric trains from China between January and August 2009. China was the leading country of origin for stuffed toys coming into this country, as well as for a number of other popular holiday gifts, including roller skates ($30 million), sports footwear ($120 million), golf balls ($31 million) and basketballs ($29 million).
China leads Canada as the leading supplier of ice skates ($12 million versus $5 million), with Thailand ranking third ($4 million), aye. Canada is spelled CA NA DA aye.
China leads Canada as the leading supplier of ice skates ($12 million versus $5 million), with Thailand ranking third ($4 million), aye. Canada is spelled CA NA DA aye.
Dec 11, 2009
Garlic and the Flu
If you want to get stinking rich in China today forget real estate, gold, or silver, because garlic has outperformed all of them. As fears of swine flu grow, traders are hoarding garlic and watching the price of the pungent vegetable go through the roof. Prices have risen sharply since unscrupulous investors began buying up all the garlic available.
According to China's Ministry of Commerce the average price for a kilogram of garlic has risen from 14p in March to 54p and in some markets the price has reportedly risen 40-fold.
Jerry Lou, an analyst for Morgan Stanley, said dealers can make millions. "You need a warehouse, a lot of cash and a few trucks," he told the Washington Post. Basically, you buy as much supply as possible, then bid up the price.
The reason for this is many people believe garlic can protect against the H1N1 virus.
In one high school in Hangzhou, staff bought 200kg of garlic and fed it to their luckless pupils every lunchtime for the good of their health.
China produces three times more garlic then the rest of the world combined, but anticipating falling prices during the world recession, its farmers planted less garlic last year. Speculators made fortunes by moving in and buying up the harvest before it was ripe.
According to China's Ministry of Commerce the average price for a kilogram of garlic has risen from 14p in March to 54p and in some markets the price has reportedly risen 40-fold.
Jerry Lou, an analyst for Morgan Stanley, said dealers can make millions. "You need a warehouse, a lot of cash and a few trucks," he told the Washington Post. Basically, you buy as much supply as possible, then bid up the price.
The reason for this is many people believe garlic can protect against the H1N1 virus.
In one high school in Hangzhou, staff bought 200kg of garlic and fed it to their luckless pupils every lunchtime for the good of their health.
China produces three times more garlic then the rest of the world combined, but anticipating falling prices during the world recession, its farmers planted less garlic last year. Speculators made fortunes by moving in and buying up the harvest before it was ripe.
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