由“絲綢之路”引入中國的食材

2000多年前，張騫出使西域，連接起了中國與外部世界溝通的“絲綢之路”。這條路增進了中國與其他國家的經濟文化交流，還將各類外國物產引進中國。我們一起來看看咱們餐桌上的哪些食材是通過這條“絲綢之路”來到中國的。

Pomegranate

石榴

The pomegranate originated in the region of modern-day Iran， and has been cultivated since ancient times throughout the Mediterranean region and northern India. The fruit was introduced to China during the Tang Dynasty， and was considered an emblem of fertility and numerous progeny.

石榴產自如今伊朗所在的地區，自古就在地中海地區和印度北部地區種植，在唐代引入中國。石榴被看作是多子多孫的象征。

Grape

葡萄

Originating in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean， the grape entered China from Dayuan， during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty. Dayuan was an ancient country in Ferghana Valley in central Asia， which was famous for grapes， alfalfa， and Ferghana horses.

葡萄最早產于黑海和地中海，在漢武帝時期從大宛傳入中國。大宛是中亞費爾干納盆地的一個古國，以盛產葡萄、苜蓿以及汗血寶馬聞名。

Garlic

大蒜

Garlic is native to the regions of southern Europe and central Asia. During the Western Han Dynasty， Zhang Qian introduced the species in the genus Allium to China. During ancient times in China， foreign tribes were referred to as “Hu troops”， so garlic was originally referred to as “Hu garlic”.

大蒜原產于南歐和中亞地區，屬蔥屬植物，西漢時期由張騫帶入中國。在古代中國，外國族群都被稱為“胡人”，所以，大蒜最開始也被稱為“胡蒜”。

Coriander

香菜

Coriander， known as cilantro or Chinese parsley， is native to the regions spanning from southern Europe to central Asia. It is recorded that Zhang Qian brought the seeds of coriander into China.

香菜，也叫芫荽或中式西芹，原產于從南歐到中亞的大片地區。據記載，張騫將香菜種子帶入了中國。

Cucumber

黃瓜

Cucumber is originally from South Asia， on the southern foot of the Qomolangma Mountain. However， in Zhang Qians time， the cucumber was known as the “Hu melon”.

黃瓜原產于南亞——珠穆朗瑪峰南面的山腳地帶。在張騫所在的時代，黃瓜被稱為“胡瓜”。

Eggplant

茄子

Eggplant， originally domesticated in India， was brought into China during the Han Dynasty， and became a common vegetable in the Jin Dynasty.

茄子原產于印度，在漢代引入中國，到晉代已成為一種常見的蔬菜。

Alfalfa

苜蓿

The alfalfa， also called lucerne， is an important forage crop in many countries around the world. According to the Records of the Grand Historian by historian Sima Qian of the Han Dynasty， alfalfa was introduced into China from Dayuan.

苜蓿，也叫紫花苜蓿，是世界上很多國家重要的飼料作物。據漢代史學家司馬遷所著《史記》記載，苜蓿是從大宛引入中國的。

Hyacinth bean

扁豆

The hyacinth bean was originally grown in India， and brought into China between the Han and Jin Dynasties.

扁豆原產于印度，在漢至晉之間被引入中國。

Word Study

cultivate /'k?lt?ve?t/ v. 種植；栽培

The people cultivate mainly rice and beans.

emblem /'embl?m/ n. 象征；標志

The eagle was an emblem of strength and courage.

reign /re?n/ n. 統治時期

domesticate /d?'mest?ke?t/ v. 栽培，培育（植物或農作物）

forage /'f?r?d?/ n.（牛和馬的）飼料