QUESTION:
We all know that the Chinese place great importance
on food. The development of the various Chinese
cuisines is a clear testament to how loved
food is and its role in families and friendship.
But food has been used for many nefarious
means throughout Chinese history. Those seeking
to overthrow emperors often tried to use poisoned
food to achieve their aims. More than one
Chinese leader has succumbed to this nasty
practice.
Other than employing tasters to try each
dish before the emperor, what other method
was thought to be able to detect the presence
of poisoned foods?
A. Frying all foods in 'palace oil' before
they were served;
B. A celadon dish;
C. Saying a prayer to the gods before eating;
D. Litmus paper.
ANSWER:
B is the answer you were looking
for. It was believed by the ancient Chinese
that if a celadon dish - glazed jade-colored
stoneware prized for its beauty - contained
poisoned food, the vessel would break or change
color.
