The 5 Flavors
The flavors of Chinese cuisine are generally divided into five categories: salty, spicy, sour, sweet, and bitter (in that order).
The Chinese place emphasis on the “he” harmony of the five flavors. As per traditional Chinese medicine, the harmony of the five flavors can not only enhance taste satisfaction, but it can also serve the function of attaining balance to promote health and treat diseases and assist in the recovery from injuries.
Regional Flavors
The flavors of Chinese food vary from region to region across the country’s enormous territory, with one or two of the five flavors predominating in most cases. Flavor preferences can be influenced by geographical, climatic, agricultural, cultural, and historical characteristics.