Daily life in China: Food Choices

On Sunday morning we take our weekly e-bike ride to the wet market. I’m not sure why it’s called that; it’s a produce market, but also with meat, eggs, and basically fresh food stuff.  I’ve tried substituting a trip to one of the supermarkets, but the produce is far fresher at the wet market, so it’s an easy choice.  More important, there is also a wider selection.  I can find avocados fit for guacamole or spreading like butter, and a vast array of mushroom types at incredibly cheap prices.   I have gotten most types just to try, but I always settle on the shiitake, which here taste even meatier than the ones in the States.  The vendors are always friendly, and if you hesitate at all at their stand they hand you a plastic bag with a friendly smile and encouraging eyes.  They quote prices that I don’t understand, mostly because there is this measure of weight called a jin that I think is about a half a kilo, but am not at all sure.  I believe the quote is usually for a jin’s worth, but since I don’t speak the lingo, I really have no idea. However, I play the game and pretend I know what I’m about, and then pay whatever they ask.  The funniest thing that happens repeatedly at the market is when I examine say a fresh fig, or avocado, or strawberry (yes, I can get them all, praise to the food gods) and put it back down, the vendors rush to motion that I should just wait, and they’ll bring out the quality goods from the back.  And then they do.  I suppose everyone gets this “special” treatment, but if that’s so, why not put out the best to start with?  I suppose if they can get someone less discerning to buy their bruised figs, then no one’s the wiser, and they sell all their supply.

The prices are wildly variable in China in general, but specifically regarding food, first let me be clear; I usually don’t care.  I haven’t had access to avocados for 2 years while in India, and I’m happy to pay 12 rmb (2 USD) for the nectar. I’m not getting any younger, and who knows how many more good years these teeth have on them? I can get beautiful blueberries, rivaling any I bought in the U.S. in June, and if I have to pay 30 RMB for a ½ pint, so be it.  It takes my morning oatmeal to a whole different level.  I have no idea where these exotic fruits come from, but again, don’t care.  Mark Bittman can wax eloquent all he wants about eating local, but I’d like to see HIM eat the narrow selection that brings to some parts of the world.  I for one am most happy to put down the money to eat a full spectrum of fruits and veggies, and when I buy those which are grown here, they are quite economical.  When I opt for the more exotic, I expect to pay more, and I’m not disappointed. Nor are my taste buds when I delve into my purchases.  It works all around, so who am I to question the practice?  Check out the pics of a recent salad I was able to make from my purchases.  This is one very enjoyable facet of living in SIP. (Suzhou Industrial Park)

By the way, mandarin oranges are in season here, and if you can believe it the fresh one are even sweeter than the canned versions, minus the corn syrupy taste.  They are fragile and puffy and wonderful in every way.  We used to raid our mother's pantry late night for the occasional unused canned mandarin slices, and all this time the Chinese have been enjoying something far far better.  Well played, China.  Make us believe the canned version is as good as it gets.  The secret is out now, and I have a 2-a-day minimum rule that is keeping me going to school in the morning so I can have them for my snack.