Abstract:
  Food and drink is a root of people. Without these basic things, no one can live in the world. So we will talk about food and drink which can’t be ignored by everyone. Different countries and nations have their distinguishing diet culture, which has the rich nationality and diversity characteristic. This paper aims to understand the complicated aspects of food culture. In order to achieve this goal, this paper makes an analysis in detail to the differences of culture between the Chinese and American as well as the mutual supplementation and compatibleness of the two food cultures under the globalization.
In the basis of improving our ability of realization, we should enhance the strong points and avoids weaknesses, improving diet structure, improving the diet quality and ensuring everyone to have healthy diet in their daily life. Moreover, as we communicate with people from different cultures, we will learn more about them and their way of life, including their history, values and their personality. Based on the above-mentioned purposes, this paper hopes this research, to some extent, be of significance both theoretically and practically.
Keywords: food and drink, China and American, differences, festivals
摘要
不同的民族和国家存在着各具特的饮食文化,具有浓郁的民族性和多样性的特点。本文旨在通过分析中美饮食文化的差异以及在全球化的影响下，两种饮食文化的相互互补和兼容来了解饮食文化的方方面面，在提高认识的基础上扬长避短，改善饮食结构，提高饮食质量。此外,当我们与来自不同文化背景的人交流时,我们将更了解他们,以及他们的生活方式,包括他们的历史,价值观与性格。基于上述目的,本文希望这一研究,在某种程度上,在理论上和实践上都具有十分重要的意义
关键词：饮食，中国，美国，差异，节日
Contents:
Abstract (English)………………………………………………………………. 1
Abstract (Chinese)……………………………………………………………… 2
Contents…………………………………………………………………………. 3
1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………... 4
2. China’s Culture of Food and Drink………………………………………… 4
  2.1 Northern School………………………………………………………….. 4
2.2 Sichuan School……………………………………………………………. 5
  2.3 Jiang Zhe School…………………………………………………………. 5
  2.4 Southern School…………………………………………………………... 5
3. American Food and Drink Culture…………………………………………. 5
  3.1 Breakfast………………………………………………………………….. 6
  3.2 Lunch……………………………………………………………………… 6
  3.3 Dinner……………………………………………………………………... 6
4. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………….. 7
5. Reference……………………………………………………………………… 8
1. Introduction:
  “You are what you eat.” Nutrition experts often use this saying to promote better eating habits. What we put in our month does become a part of us. But we can look at this statement another way. What we eat reflects who we are---as people and as a culture. One way to understand a culture and its way of life is to find out about its food. Even if people in different part of the world eat the same food, they often prepare it differently.
There are many big differences between Chinese food and American food in every direction. That’s because their culture backgrounds are so different and diverse, which reflect their wide range of backgrounds and way of thinking. These differences reflect in many directions. Through this process of learning, I’m sure that we can have a better knowledge of food and drink in China and American.
Therefore, this research endeavors to analyze the cultural differences and points out that with the development of cross-cultural communication, more factors and new variables in food cultures will arise through communication, interaction and imitation. Meanwhile, the research has no intention of imposing the fallacy that food culture in China is better or worse than that in any other country. As a matter of fact, it is the comparative study that pours the new "blood" into the body of a culture, which will bring about changes and benefits to each individual culture.
2. China’s Culture of Food and Drink
  The most thriving enterprise in the world is restauranting. Among the most prosperous are Chinese restaurants. Chinese food is known for its variety and abundance. It has a lot of kinds and ways of cooking, which bring out the best of the ingredients. And China is a vast country. Each area has a wealth of local specialties in its cooking. Nevertheless, cooking in China may be grouped into the following four major schools:
2.1 Northern School
It includes Beijing, Shandong, Tianjin and Henan cooking. Also called “Jing Cai” (Beijing Dishes) in Chinese.
Most of the Jing Cai have a high calorie value answering the demands of the cold northern climate. Well-known Beijing dishes include Whole Roast Duck or “Peking Duck”, Shuan Yang Rou（slices of lamb which you dip in boiling water and then in a do-it-yourself sauce）, roasted lamb and crab.
2.2 Sichuan School（in the upper reaches of the Yangtze中美文化差异）
  This is the main style of the Sichuan Province and is called “Chuan Cai” in Chinese. It boasts an excellent traditional culture supported by a mild climate, fertile land and rich resources.
  Sichuan dishes are distinguished for being “spicy and hot”. Their uniquely hot, pungent flavour is created by a mixture of spices and condiments, including red pepper, garlic and ginger.