Celebrate Chinese New Year on Sunday and welcome the year of the dog with symbolic foods.
Many foods carry special symbolism in the Chinese culture. Whether it’s Chinese New Year or any other special occasion, serving these dishes can bring good fortune to everyone at your table.
* Noodles reflect long life; the longer the noodle, the stronger its symbolism.
* Chicken symbolizes happiness and is said to lead to a long, happy marriage.
* Peanuts and green beans both stand for longevity.
* The word “shrimp” sounds like the word for “laughter” in Chinese, so eating shrimp is associated with joy and happiness.
* Oranges and tangerines symbolize wealth and prosperity.
* Dumplings and potstickers convey good wishes toward one’s family.
Local restaurants, caterers and wineries and, yes, mustard and specialty food companies from around the world plan to present their best at the 13th Annual Napa Valley Mustard Festival, which begins Saturday and continues through April 1.
It’s the season when the wild mustard is in bloom over the region’s fields, vineyard gardens and hillsides. The condiment shares centerstage with the flowering mustard backdrop at what organizers call a marathon of food, wine and art events.
The Napa Valley Mustard Festival describes itself as a nonprofit community service organization.
For information, tickets or a calendar or events, call 707-938-1133 or visit www.mustardfestival.org.
Tea drinkers note
The World Tea Expo, which calls itself the nation’s premier marketplace for the tea industry, has scheduled the first tea auction ever to be held in the United States.
The auction is to take place on March 29, during this year’s expo at the Las Vegas Hilton from March 27 to 29.
The tea auction, organized by the World Tea Expo, the Nilgiri Planters Association and the Tea Board of India, will give buyers an opportunity to bid on 42 of the Nilgiri region’s finest teas. On the evening before the event, there will be a special tasting of all the teas to be auctioned.
Organizers say they expect this year’s show to be attended by about 200 companies from around the world and 3,000 buyers. Events that have been planned to inform, entertain and connect members of the industry include demonstrations on cooking with tea, Chinese and Japanese tea ceremonies, an Iced Tea Shake-Off competition, and 45 educational seminars.
For information about the expo or to register, visit www.worldteaexpo.com.
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