A bite of China II whets the appetite

Photo Provided to China Daily

China's most anticipated sequel of 2014, A Bite of China season 2, will air its first episode this Friday April 18th at 9:00 pm on CCTV 9.

Food is a particularly personal thing, in that no dish suits all tastes, says Chen Xiaoqing, general director of the documentary series. In the coming season, the production team will demonstrate a greater "ambition" that, through food, depicts the joys and sorrows of ordinary Chinese in changing times.

Needless to say, Chinese cuisine is one of aspects of Chinese culture that people are most proud of. It is also an important part of daily life.

The documentary series, exploring stories of nature, culture, and history through food, consists of seven episodes – Seasons (as in summer as opposed to salt), Footsteps, Heart's message, Daily domestics, Realm of Secrets, Encounters, and Three Meals.

Even within China, the beauty and mystery of Chinese food had never been properly explained or thoroughly appreciated on an artistic level until the premiere in May 2012 of a seven-part documentary series on China’s food culture called "A Bite of China" (literally translated as "China on the Tip of the Tongue"), produced by state broadcaster China Central TV.

The series gave a visual introduction to China's rich culinary tradition and wide regional variety by showing basic local ingredients, cooking methods, and local food specialties and customs.

The documentary became an instant hit and a trending topic on Chinese social media. With its beautiful visual effects, and the powerful nostalgia it invoked, many think it the best documentary ever produced in China.

A Bite of China: Wuhan snacks	A Bite of China