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CHINESE NEW YEAR BETWEEN CULINARY CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS

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29 January 2025

2min

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CHINESE NEW YEAR BETWEEN CULINARY CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS

China and many Asian countries, such as Singapore and Vietnam, will celebrate Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, from January 28 to February 4, 2025.

The holiday is so heartfelt that many local businesses close for several weeks, and even in the rest of the world, where Chinese communities exist, the Eastern New Year is gaining importance. For example, the City of Milan decided to move the traditional Dragon Dance, scheduled for Sunday, February 2, from the city’s Chinatown to the more capacious Arco della Pace to welcome the Year of the Snake altogether.

But what is eaten during this festive season? Many are the culinary traditions and superstitions observed by Asians. Topping the list are mainly fish dishes, particularly carp, which is considered a symbol of prosperity. It should be placed on the table with the head facing the family’s oldest member and never moved. The well-known dumplings, spring rolls, and sweet rice balls and noodles are also considered auspicious because of their shape.

We have selected two dishes, perfect for the festive season, enhanced by the unique taste of Gorgonzola DOP.

Chinese noodles with Gorgonzola PDO

Heresy? Not at all! Asians love Gorgonzola because it is a cheese made from pasteurized whole milk but is naturally lactose (*) free. More than 90% of the population suffers from this intolerance. Plus, they like its taste, the so-called fifth “umami” flavor, produced by the fermentation that is widespread in Asian foods.

Export data confirm this: from January to October 2024, about 54 thousand wheels of Gorgonzola DOP flew to this area of the world, and two major Asian countries, Japan and South Korea, are among the top 20 importers.

* (Lactose less than 0.1g/100g, a natural consequence of the typical production process. Contains galactose).