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"Drinking Vinegar" in Chinese proverb

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Li Shimin (Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty) obliged several beauties to Fang Xuanling as his concubines. However, Fang Xuanling didn’t dare to accept the beauties since he was a famous “Hen-pecked husband” in the history. On this account, Li Shimin dispatched a eunuch to hold a kettle of “poisonous wine” and send decree to Mrs. Fang, saying that if she doesn’t accept the beauties, she would be forced to drink the poisonous wine. It is out of everyone’s imagination that Mrs. Fang took the kettle and drank off the “poisonous wine” with tear, but she didn’t die, for what is in the kettle is actually vinegar. The Emperor was putting her on her mettle by joking with her. After that, Li Shimin told Fang Xuanling, “Your wife is so fiery and forthright that I do respect her to some extent. You should follow her ideas later on”.

“Eating vinegar” is hereby regarded as the symbol of jealousness caused by the third person who appears between two lovers or a couple.

The Culture of Vinegar

China was the first country in the world to make vinegar from grain. The written history of vinegar can be traced back to the 8th century BC. During the Spring and Autumn Period, professional vinegar workshop had appeared. The book Qi Min Yao Shu (literally, Important Means of Substance for People’s Welfare of the Northern Wei Dynasty collected altogether 22 vinegar production methods, some of which are still in use. In ancient times, vinegar was also called “bitter wine”, “acid wine”, “rice vinegar”, etc. The old saying “Firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar and tea are indispensable in our daily life” indicates that vinegar has played an important role in the life of the Chinese through the ages.

Details

Types of vinegar

Types of vinegar

Materials for making vinegar include rice, wheat, sorghum, millet, bran, saccharine fruits, etc. China produces a great variety of famous vinegar products, such as Shanxi mature vinegar which is...
Shanxi mature vinegar

Shanxi mature vinegar

Shanxi mature vinegar is the most well-known vinegar in north China. Taking high-quality sorghum as the major material, it is produced by stewing, saccharification, alcoholization, high-temperature...
Zhenjiang black rice vinegar

Zhenjiang black rice vinegar

Zhenjiang black rice vinegar takes high-quality glutinous rice as the major material. It is produced with a unique processing technology through three principal processes (wine making, solid...
Sichuan bran vinegar

Sichuan bran vinegar

People in different areas of Sichuan usually make vinegar with bran. Bran vinegar of Baoning is most famous. Major materials of Baoning bran vinegar include bran, wheat and rice. The starter is...
Jiangzhe rose vinegar

Jiangzhe rose vinegar

Jiangzhe rose vinegar, a unique rice vinegar variety with high-quality rice as material, is noted for its bright and transparent rose color. It has a special full-bodied scent that is appetizing....
Yongchun aged vinegar

Yongchun aged vinegar

Yongchun aged vinegar takes high-quality glutinous rice, red yeast rice and sesame as materials. The materials are added by several times, fermented, and aged for many years (more than three...
Pineapple vinegar

Pineapple vinegar

Pineapple vinegar is a well-known vinegar variety of Taiwan, China. It is made from pineapples produced in Taiwan. Pineapple vinegar has a clear color, and tastes acidic but not in a strong way,...
Vinegar capital of China - Qingxu County, Shanxi Province

Vinegar capital of China - Qingxu County, Shanxi Province

Qingxu County is located in the suburb of Taiyuan, the capital city of Shanxi Province. It is the cradle of and the largest production base of Shanxi mature vinegar. The vinegar-making history of...
Life tips: magical functions of vinegar

Life tips: magical functions of vinegar

Vinegar is not only a seasoning. It can also help you solve various household problems...