This article discusses the various social functions of food in Chinese culture. From the perspective of Chinese society, food plays many roles beyond simple nutrition. Food is used to express and maintain interpersonal relationships. Different Chinese ethnic groups use their food as part of their identity. Expensive or luxury foods demonstrate socioeconomic status. Food is an important part of religious ceremonies and holidays. Food has symbolic value, representing good fortune and longevity in many celebrations. Food is used by parents and family members as tokens of love and care. There are many other complex societal roles played by food, which are explored in this article.

This is a WebMD article about Italian cuisine and health. The article starts by mentioning that, second to Mexican food, Italian is the most popular ethnic cuisine in the United States; however, it points out that there is a lot more to Italian foods than our Americanized favorites like pasta drowned in Alfredo sauce, pizza, cheesy garlic bread, and spaghetti and meatballs. These popular Italian dishes are typically not considered healthy, but Italian cuisine can be healthy. Italian cuisine also includes a variety of seafood and fresh vegetables. Many Italian pastas are actually much lighter than what we are used to in the U.S, with many herbs and spices for seasoning rather than just cheese and sauce. Italians are also used to much smaller portions than our American mega-sized plates. Furthermore, a major source of added sugar in American diets, sweetened beverages like soda, are not as popular in Italy. Other things that may not seem like a big deal, but can contribute to overall healthier eating habits are the Italians' emphasis on family-centric meals, taste and nutrition maximization, preparation, and presentation. All of these aspects of Italian cuisine has contributed to lower rates of obesity and other diseases in Italian people. I thought this was a really good resource because it clearly explained why different elements of the cuisine contributes to better nutrition and health in a group.

This is a really interesting article that demonstrates the technique and skills behind noodle-making. I think you do not normally think of noodle-making as an art form, but the people this article's author interviewed dedicated their lives to making noodles. It is a craft that they spent years mastering and they are very proud of it. The main noodle dish that is featured in this article is the famous Lanzhou beef noodle soup, which many swear is the best in all of China. It is made with hand-pulled noodles, lamian, which has origins along the Silk Road. It is a spicy dish that is usually eaten for breakfast. There are other varieties of lamian, including one served in a tomato sauce that is as closed to spaghetti as you can get in Chinese cuisine. Many of the recipes also contain lots of spices that are reminiscent of Mediterranean cuisine. There are several methods to making hand-pulled noodles that employed twisting and pulling with the hands. Chefs practice extensively to perfect their fare.

Dim sum is a Cantonese style of cuisine that consists of snacks and appetizers served with tea, typically around morning and brunch time. Dim sum is historically linked to the custom of yum cha, which means tea drinking. The practice of drinking tea has been documented in China for centuries. In ancient times, teahouses sprung up along the Silk Road to provide a place for weary travelers to eat and rest. Farmers would also gather at teahouses after a long day of work for refreshments and conversation. However, it was a long time before tea drinking was combined with eating food. Since the Guangdong/Hong Kong region dim sum is tied to has British influence, dim sum is also connected to English high tea. These days, dim sum is served not just all over China, but all over the world. Some common food items are various kinds of dumplings, buns, pastries, and small plates of meat and seafood. I think dim sum is a very unique and diverse style of cuisine and it is very interesting to read and learn about.