Dim Sum, snack from China

Dim Sum is a Cantonese term that literally means dot heart or order heart, or be interpreted as snack.

Classical dim sums include buns dumplings and rice rolls in a variety of ingredients such as beef, chicken, pork, prawns or vegetarian ingredients . They are cooked by steaming, frying and sometimes other methods. They are usually small and served as 3 or 4 pieces in one dish.

History
Long ago, travellers on the ancient Silk Road needed a place to rest. Teahouses were established along the roadside. Rural farmers also went in to eat after a long day’s work. At first it was considered inappropriate for tea to be taken with food, because people believed it would lead to excessive weight gain People later discivered that tea could aid digestion, so owners of teahouses introduced more kinds of snacks, and the tradition of dim sum evolved.

Drinking of Tea
The drinking of tea is as important to dim sum as the food. Popular teas served with dim sum include chrysanthemum tea, oolong, and green tea. It was customary to pour tea for others while eating dim sum before filling one’s own cup. A custom unique to Hong Kong is to thank the person pouring the tea by tapping the bent index and middle fingers together on the table. This is said to resemble the ritual of bowing to someone. (library.thinkquest)


See also :
Sour Sally
Soto