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What are foods eaten on Chinese New Year?

Happy Chinese New Year! Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar and, for the year 2022 it falls on February 1st.

As a kid growing up in China, the red envelopes are one of the most exciting things about Chinese New Year. Families give their children red envelopes containing cash on Chinese New Year for those unfamiliar with Chinese traditions. All you have to do is give a slight bow and wish the adults in your life “Happy New Year!” and watch the fund for your next trip to the candy store grow.

Now that I am an adult with a job, the roles have changed. The receiver has become the giver. I no longer receive red envelopes on Chinese New Year, as my mother, unfortunately, informed me when I started working. As an adult, my favorite thing about the holiday is sharing delicious food with my friends and family. This year, in particular, I have the privilege of sharing some of our traditions with you, the reader.

Several foods are almost a requirement to eat on Chinese New Year. They all have special meanings and are said to bring good fortune for the coming year. A must on Chinese New Year is fish. Fish has the same pronunciation as “surplus” in Chinese (yú). Eating fish at the beginning of the year symbolizes the wish for prosperity and a surplus at the end of the year. Besides potentially giving you extra wealth by the end of the year, fish has many nutritional benefits.

Did you know that fish can better your brain health? Funny how the animals with the reputation of flawed memory can improve ours. You have probably heard of omega-3 fatty acids that are found in fish. Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, is an omega-3 fatty acid essential for your brain to function normally and efficiently. Brain and nervous system tissues are partly fat, and research suggests that they prefer DHA in particular. Studies have also linked DHA deficiencies to serious cognitive problems. Low levels of DHA are correlated with a greater risk of Alzheimer’s disease in later years. So, pick up a fish at the grocery store for Chinese New Year. It may bring you wealth and help you remember what you forgot to put on your grocery list.

Another food often eaten to celebrate Chinese New Year is citrus fruits. Specifically, eating or even displaying oranges, tangerines, and pomelos is believed to bring good luck and fortune due to their pronunciation and writing. The Chinese pronunciation of orange and “success” is the same, “chéng,” so eating oranges may help you land that promotion you so deserve. If you are looking for a bit of luck, tangerine (jú) has a similar pronunciation to “luck” (jí). They even share a similar written Chinese character, 桔 for tangerine and 吉 for luck. Pomelo is a giant grapefruit. It carries the wish of continuous prosperity. Pomelo in Chinese (yòu) sounds similar to “to have” (yòu), and exactly like “again” (yòu), meaning you will have enough again and again with every new year.

Citrus fruits, like orange, tangerine, and pomelo, are a good source of vitamin C. Vitamin C is known for its role in immune health. It is imperative to grow and repair body tissue, from healing wounds to maintaining healthy bones and skin. It is also an antioxidant that fights free radicals in the body, which may aid in preventing or delaying certain cancers and heart disease and promoting healthy aging.

These are just some of the foods that are commonly eaten on Chinese New Year. There are many more foods and traditions that go into this memorable holiday. I am thankful that I can share a little piece of that with you. I hope you give these foods a try this Chinese New Year. May 2022 bring you happiness, luck, wealth, and health!