Food Trivia For The Week of: November 13, 2006 Trivia Theme: Dim Sum   The Answers to this quiz will be posted after the question. To read the answers simply highlight the box with your mouse. For more Food Trivia tests, visit the Trivia Archive 1. One of the many stories on the origins of dim sum trace back to this Empress, the fifth concubine of Emperor Hsien Feng. Who is she? Answer:  One of the stories told about the origins of dim sum traces back to the moods of the Empress Tzu Hsi, the fifth concubine of Emperor Hsien Feng and mother of his only son. Born in 1835 to middle ranking parents in Manchu society, Tzu Hsi, was married to the Emperor Hsien Feng at the age of 17. Upon the Emperor's death, Tzu-Hsi was bestowed the title of Empress of the Western Palace, or the Empress Dowager, thanks in part to being the only concubine who gave birth to a male heir. Her son, and the heir apparent, Tung Chih, was appointed as Emperor to the throne at the age of 5.  It is rumoured that the Empress Dowager was a rather "difficult" person to get along with. Often susceptible to mood swings and bouts of obstinence, she would often lash out at her attendants. One day, bored with her food, she ordered her personal chefs to prepare something special. The result was the creation of dim sum, little snack sized dishes to "gladden her heart". 2. What is the origin story of dim sum originating from the book "Guy Luck Peen" of dim sum's origins? Answer: There is a story in the book Guy Luck Peen (phoenetic translation, literal translation: Chicken Bone Book) of an Emperor in the year of Sheun Wa, who was travelling to a nearby monastery. Upon arrival at the monastery, he found himself mildly hungry; but to his dismay there was no food avilable, except for a solitary food stall managed by a fish seller. Upon seeing the Emperor, the fish seller immediately offered him a thin bread pancake and told him that he hoped this tiny morsel of food would fill him and his heart up. 3.  What does dim sum literally translate to in Cantonese? Answer: Literally translated, Dim Sum is Cantonese for "heart's delight" or "little heart" or "touch your heart". 4. When is dim sum usually eaten? Answer: Dim sum is usually eaten mid-morning, but can be found at any time, and sometimes enjoyed as a midnight snack 5. What is the difference between Yum Cha and Dim Sum? Answer: In the Canton provinces, many people gather at tea houses during the morning and early afternoon to socialize or conduct business over small meals. In China this is most popularly called going to "yum cha", literally " to drink tea" or "going to tea", because the drinking of tea is so strongly associated with the snack foods served. In the West, however, we are most familiar with the term dim sum to describe these small meals. 6. How are dim sum bills typically tallied? Answer:  The bill for dim sum is calculated from a card kept on each table. Each time a dish is ordered, the server marks the card with a stamp, chop or mark indicating the size of the dish (small, medium, large, extra-large or special order) 7. How is dim sum typically ordered?  Answer: Sometimes dim sum is ordered from a menu, but more likely it is either taken around the tables in trays or in carts hot from the kitchen. Servers shout out the name of the dishes they have and people order based on what they like 8. What is the name of the popular shrimp dim sum in a translucent wrapper?  Answer: Har Gow. The filling is made from shrimp, minced water chestnuts or bamboo and is then folded up into wrappers made from wheat starch. The wrappers are then pleated and steamed. 9. What is the name of the flaky egg custard tarts? Answer: Dan tat are egg custard tarts in flaky pastry and served warm 10. What are the typical types of tea served at dim sum? Answer: The meal begins by choosing a tea, usually puer (a black tea), jasmine or chrysanthemum. Source: Nina Simonds & Deh-Ta Hsiung, The Food of China. Murdoch Books; FC Dim Sum Write-up Copyright ©Vengeance, Foodie's Corner, All Rights Reserved Last Updated: November 13, 2006 Backgrounds Courtesy of Eos Development