Tag: Chinese culture

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), China is the world's leading producer and consumer of sweet potatoes, accounting for a vast majority of the global total. The answer to what culture eats the most sweet potatoes is complex, as it includes not only sheer volume but also the deep cultural integration of this nutritious root vegetable in various cuisines around the world, particularly across Asia and Africa.

According to the US National Library of Medicine, up to 92% of adults in China suffer from lactose malabsorption, a key factor behind historically low dairy consumption. Beyond biology, a confluence of deep-seated cultural, historical, and dietary factors has shaped China's complex relationship with milk, although consumption has been rising in recent decades.

According to a 2019 study, 27% of China's total food production is lost or wasted annually, amounting to a staggering 349 million tons. This colossal scale of waste, the largest in the world by total volume, is driven by a complex interplay of cultural, economic, and systemic factors across the food supply chain, from farm to table.

For many, drinking plain hot water seems unusual, yet in China, it is a deeply ingrained cultural habit with roots tracing back centuries. The practice of drinking hot water is tied to ancient medical beliefs, historical public health campaigns, and a modern emphasis on holistic wellness.

According to a 2025 study published in *Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems*, Chinese vegetarian diets are often rich in fiber and other nutrients. However, a common concern for travelers is the perception that it's difficult to find veg food in China, especially with the prevalence of meat in traditional dishes.

While exact figures are difficult to pinpoint, the plant-based market in China has seen significant growth, increasing from nearly $10 billion in 2018 to $12 billion in 2023. This market surge prompts the question: Is veganism rising in China, or are other factors at play?

According to one study, over 90% of adults in some East Asian communities may be lactose intolerant, yet China has become a global leader in dairy consumption, confounding this biological predisposition. So, can the Chinese drink milk? The answer is a complex story of genetics, history, and a modern dietary revolution.

China doesn't have a legally declared "national drink," yet tea (chá) is almost universally recognized as its unofficial national beverage. This status comes from a history stretching back over 3,000 years and its pervasive cultural influence, contrasting with the potent national liquor, baijiu, which is reserved for special occasions.

According to a 2021 study, the median daily consumption of white rice in China was approximately 200 grams, but this figure is far from static. The answer to "How much rice do Chinese eat in a day?" depends heavily on location within China, economic factors, and shifting modern dietary preferences, revealing a complex picture of national food habits.

China produces and consumes nearly half of the world's tea, highlighting the deep cultural roots of this beverage for Chinese people. This strong tradition significantly influences what do Chinese people drink in the morning, though regional diversity and modern trends introduce a wide array of other popular choices.