Chinese Mentality of how WEIRD Food helps your body

I have read a few media blogs about how food can be a medium of a certain culture. I was pretty fascinated by it. I remembered there was once in my English class, the professor and the class were discussing about how people greet each other in different countries. In the States, it is usually like “what’s up”, and “how are you?” However, surprisingly, the Chinese and Korean students in our class pointed out that in their countries, instead of just saying “how are you”, they often also follow up by asking “Have you eaten yet?” The discussion made me realized how Asian people cherish food so much. So I decided to serve around the internet and see what tourists see in Chinese food. Then there is one google result kind of caught my attention. Chinese weirdest food. So I decided to  talk about how Chinese weirdest food shows the mentality of how Chinese people choose their food. Although it is quite extreme, they are really good examples. According to the Chinese medicine, this mentality is called "if one eats an organ of an animal, then it will be good for the corresponding organ in one's body." (以形補形) saying that Chinese people think animal organ is a medium to good health.

Cow Testicles 

Yup, cow testicles. As delicious as this may sound, most people will probably give this a pass. Believe it or not, there is actually a choice of rare or well-done. But by frying testicles, it actually removes the unpleasant smell of it. According to my grandpa, he said it should give you a quick boost of energy and improve men’s sexual performance.

Monkey Brains 

The Chinese believe that they can cure themselves from germs and bacteria, and become smarter by eating monkey brains. Pickled ginger, pepper and peanuts are added to the fresh monkey brains for extra flavoring. According to Chinese medicine, eating animal organs will help corresponding organs in the human body. Although I am not sure whether this is illegal or not in China, it is sure that there are people who still hold this belief and actually eat monkey brains. It usually happens in Guangdong province in secrecy. (do not want to search any photo for this)

                                                     Deer Penis 

The third weirdest food is deer penis. The Chinese in Guangzhou eat deer’s penis to aid sexual performance along with other health needs. According to some of my uncles, cooked deer’s penis is rubbery and hard to chew. Deers penis might be seen as weird in some cultures, but for traditional Chinese people, it is a common source of medicine. Deers penis can also be taken in a capsule form.

To conclude, by seeing what people eat in different countries, the food can reflect the culture or mentality of the people. I personally have never tried any of them, and do not even want to see it. Unfortunately, there are people in China who still hold such believe. A more common and less gross example would be pork lungs or chicken feet, which is good for your lungs or feet. I guess eating weird food is one of the stereotypes that Chinese have.    Although it is not generally true, but there are people who eat unordinary food.