Cuisines in Guangzhou
荔枝节
The Litchi Festival
Litchi is a tropical fruit native to southern China. It is world famous as “king of fruit”， due to its wonderful color， flavor and taste. Bananas， Pineapple and Longan were called jointly “the Four Southern fruits”.
荔枝是原产于中国南部的一种热带水果，色、香、味皆美，驰名中外，有“果王”之称。它与香蕉、菠萝、龙眼一起被称为“南国四大果品”。
When we mention litchi， you may first think of a poetic sentence which goes “A steed galloping up dust wins the imperial concubine’s smiling； but no one knows it is litchi that is coming”， Through the ages， numerous poets have written poems in praise of litchi. The poem entitled “Passing Qinghua Palace” by Du Mu is especially exquisite beyond compare. Today， “Concubine Smiling” also became the name of one of the varieties of litchi.
提到荔枝，你一定会想到一句诗句：“一骑红尘妃子笑，无人知是荔枝来。”古往今来，无数诗人写过赞美荔枝的诗句。而杜牧的《过华清宫》中的这句对荔枝细腻的描述更是无与伦比。如今，“妃子笑”已经成为一种荔枝的品牌。
Litchi flesh is soft and smooth and juicy. It taste sweet and contains trace elements very good for health. Litchi is full of the energy of sugar， vitamin C and protein. It helps produce saliva， reduce thirst， nourish the blood and strengthen the stomach； especially， it is very good for women with postpartum blood loss as well as the elderly and infirm.
荔枝果肉软滑多汁，味道甘甜，含有多种微量元素，是非常有益身体健康的水果。体质虚弱的人还可以用荔枝来进行食疗。荔枝含有的丰富糖分能补充能量、维生素C和蛋白质。还能生津止渴，补血健胃；尤其对女性产后出血，衰老体虚益处良多。
No wonder Su Dongpo， a famous ancient poet of China， once wrote： As long as I am privileged enough to enjoy tasting 300 litchi nuts， it is feasible to live in Lingnan perpetually.
难怪中国著名的诗人苏东坡曾写道：“日啖荔枝三百颗，不辞长作岭南人”。
Since 1990s， the annual Litchi Festival will be held in July in Zengcheng， Guangzhou， winning Zengcheng a good name “The Hometown of Litch”. During the Litchi Festival， the tourists can not only taste and enjoy the fresh and delicious litchis， but appreciate the song and dance performances， sports performance， Fine Art Photography， book exhibition， products fair and trade negotiation. Therefore， thousands of tourists at home and abroad are attracted by its reputation every year. They can pick fresh litchis themselves in litchi orchard， which has special charm.
20世纪90年代以来，每年的七月份，广州增城都会举办一年一度的荔枝节，享有“荔枝之乡”的美名。荔枝节期间，游客们除了可以品尝、观赏新鲜美味的荔枝，还能欣赏到歌舞表演、体育表演、美术摄影、图书展览、商品展销和贸易洽谈等活动。因此，每年很多慕名而来的海内外游客络绎不绝。游客们能亲身到荔枝园采摘鲜荔枝，别有一番风趣。
During the Litchi Festival， the tourists can also taste litchi wine， which is made from the spring water， tasting mellow and savory. It can help eliminate pathogens and strengthen the body.
在荔枝节上，游客还可以品尝到荔枝酒，它由山泉水酿制而成，芳醇可口，有消除病原和强身健体之功效。
The Cantonese can make various kinds of dishes with litchis， like Litchi Shrimp， Litchi Chicken Wings， Litchi Pork ， Litchi Porridge and Litchi Salad.
荔枝能制成各种菜肴、荔枝虾仁、荔枝鸡翅、荔枝猪肉、荔枝粥，还有荔枝沙拉。
Vocabulary 轻松学单词
litchi [lti] n. 荔枝；荔枝果；荔枝树
Litchi is a subtropical fruit grown in South China.
荔枝是生长在南方的一种亚热带水果。
tropical [trpk()l] adj. 热带的；热情的；酷热的
The tropical heat blistered the coast.
热带的酷热烤晒着海岸。
native [netv] adj. 本国的；土著的；天然的；与生俱来的；天赋的n. 本地人；土产；当地居民
It was his first visit to his native country since 1948.
这是1948年以来他首次访问祖国。
flavor [flev] n. 情味，风味；香料；滋味vt. 加调料于……；给……添加情趣
The course has a distinctive Italian flavor.
这道菜很有意大利餐的风味。
poetic [petk] adj. 诗的，诗歌的；诗意的；诗人的n. 诗学，诗论
To me， this is the most memorable period of my poetic career.
对我来说，这是我诗歌生涯中最值得纪念的一段时期。
gallop [glp] n. 疾驰；飞奔vi. 飞驰；急速进行；急急忙忙地说vt. 使飞跑；迅速运输
China’s economy galloped ahead.
中国的经济飞速向前发展。
concubine [kkjban] n. 妾；情妇；姘妇
The legal status of a concubine has varied in different societies.
在不同的社会，妾的法律地位有所不同。
entitle [ntatl] vt. 称做……；定名为……；给……称号；使……有权利
She read a poem entitled The Apple Tree.
她读了一首题为《苹果树》的诗。
juicy [dus] adj. 多汁的；利润多的；生动的
There are some fresh juicy oranges.
那边有些新鲜多汁的橙子。
orchard [td] n. 果园；果树林
The children were skylarking in the orchard.
孩子们在果园里嬉戏。
mellow [mel] adj. 圆润的，柔和的；成熟的；芳醇的vt. 使成熟；使柔和
He has a mellow attitude to life.
他对生活有种成熟的看法。
savory [seivri] adj. 可口的；风味极佳的；味美的n. 开胃菜；香薄荷
This restaurant is famous for its savory dishes.
这家饭店以饭菜美味而出名。
pathogens [pθdns] n. 病原体；病原菌；致病菌
One must be concerned about the fate of these pathogens in the absorption field.
必须注意到这些病原体在吸收场地的归宿。
Dialogue 对话
Carol：
Peter， have you heard of the litchi festival in Guangzhou
Peter：
No， I never heard of it. Is it an interesting festival
Carol：
Of course， this is one of my favorite festivals in Guangzhou. Tourists can taste the freshest litchis in this big day.
Peter：
Wow， sounds great！
Carol：
Besides litchis， people could enjoy the litchi wine and appreciate the song and dance performances.
Peter：
Fantastic！ When does it begin
Carol：
Next Tuesday， we can take part in it together.
Peter：
Good. I want to go with you.
卡罗：
皮特，你知道广州荔枝节吗？
皮特：
我从来没听说过。是个很有趣的节日吗？
卡罗：
当然了，这是我在广州最喜欢的一个节日。在这个大日子，游客们可以品尝到最新鲜的荔枝。
皮特：
哇！听起来太棒了！
卡罗：
除了荔枝，人们还能喝到荔枝酒，欣赏歌舞表演。
皮特：
好极了！什么时候开始？
卡罗：
下周四， 我们可以一起参加。
皮特：
好，我想和你一起去。
背景知识 Background Information
Litchi Sickness 荔枝病
一次性大量进食荔枝容易引发“荔枝病”，出现头晕、出汗、面色苍白、乏力、心慌、口渴、饥饿感等。这是由于，机体胰岛素分泌过多引起的低血糖反应。轻者口服糖开水即可恢复正常；重者应送医院抢救。荔枝本身糖份很高，小儿不适合多吃，不仅容易肥胖，还容易便秘。为避免“荔枝病”，可在吃荔枝时喝些淡盐水，或者预防性地喝些凉茶、绿豆汤、金银花水或冬瓜汤等。
粤菜
Cantonese Cuisine
Brief introduction of Cantonese cuisine 粤菜简介
Cantonese cuisine comes from Guangdong province and is one of the Eight Culinary Traditions of Chinese cuisines. Guangdong province is known as the paradise of the food at home and abroad. Besides， Cantonese chefs are highly sought after throughout China.
粤菜，是中国八大菜系之一，亦称广东菜。广东被称作“美食天堂”，享誉中外。而且，广东厨师在全国都炙手可热。