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1 Origin of Brewing Alcoholic Beverages
1.1 Different Opinions of Origin of Brewing Alcoholic Beverages
The alcoholic beverages made from grains have been dominating
Chinese brewing industry in China, while fruit wine has a tiny share.
Therefore the problem of origin of brewing alcoholic beverages in fact
is a discussion of how alcoholic beverages were brewed by using grains.
In ancient times , the origin of brewing alcoholic beverages were
considered to owe to some one's invention, saying they were
grandfathers of brewing alcohol. The sayings had such a great
influence upon people that they were taken for granted and became
established opinions, about which an ancient book entitled ¡¶ Jiu Pu ¡·
(Alcoholic Beverages' Records ) of Song Dynasty used to doubt about it,
it says all the folklore's of origin of brewing alcoholic beverages
were lack of facts and unreasonable and unreliable. Although these
folklores are unreasonable, they can be considered a school of
traditional culture. In view of it, it is necessary to conclude these
legends as follows:
It was said that during Xia Dynasty when a ruler named Yu was in
power, Yi Di invented brewing of alcoholic drinks. A historical book
named ¡¶Lu Shi Chunqiu¡· written in two centuries B.C. says, "Yi Di
brewed alcoholic drinks." Another historical book named ¡¶Zhanguoce ¡·
by Liu Xiang of Han Dynasty gave a further explanation, "In the past,
Yi Di, a daughter of Emperor Yu, brewed a tasteful alcoholic drink,
and then tributed it to Ruler Yu, who drank it and felt cheerful,
saying: 'There must be some imperial rulers indulged in alcoholic
drinking in the future, which will lead to loss of their imperial power.
' He then gave an order to Yi Di stopping brewing the drink to Yi Di."
One legend says that Du Kong originated brewing of alcoholic
drinks, (Du Kong lived in Xia Dynasty ). ¡¶Explanation of Articles and
words ¡· issued in East Han Dynasty explained the term of "alcoholic
drink" saying: "Du Kong brewed kaoling alcoholic drink." Another book
named ¡¶Shi Ben ¡· holds the same opinion.
Picture 1.1.1.2 Dukang's Tomb in Henang Province
Another legend indicated that the people of Huang Di Era started
brewing of alcoholic drinks . One works called ¡¶Huang Di Nie Jing ¡¤
Su Wen ¡· recorded the detailed conversation carried between Huang Di
and Qi Bo, Huang Di inquired, "How to make sweet alcoholic drink from
rice ?" Qi Bo answered, "Rice must be needed and rice straw is also
used to heat the rice; but rice should be in a fine quality and the
flame great enough as well." ¡¶Huang Di Nie Jing ¡· also mentioned an
old alcoholic drink¡ªLilou which was brewed by using the animal's milk
. Huang Di was our common ancestor of Chinese nationalities, a lot of
inventions occurred during Huang Di's period. ¡¶Huang Di Nie Jing ¡·
was actually written by a group of authors in the name of Huang Di,
what were recorded in the book true to the facts or not need further
testifying for this reason.
A more mythological legend said, "There exists a god of
alcoholic drinks, which was brewed when the universe existed."
Although there are a variety of legends about the origin of
alcoholic drinks, it can be concluded that the brewing of alcoholic
drinks started as early as during Xia Dynasty or ever earlier than that,
which has been proved by what the archaeologists have discoverd. Xia
Dynasty existed 4,000 years ago, however over 5000-years- old vessels
that were used to brew alcoholic drinks have been discovered. ¡¶ Xing
Ming Evening Daily ¡· published an article entitled ¡¶ The Oldest
Chinese Characters are discovered in Ju County, Shangdong Province,
China¡·on 23rd. August, 1987, its subtitle ¡¶ Over 5, 000- year- old
-brewing-alcoholic-drink vessels are also discovered¡· , which shows
that brewing of alcoholic drinks came into existence at least as early
as 5,000 years or it originated even earlier than that time. In the
distant ancient time, people chanced to find some alcoholic drink
naturally fermented, then began to copy it. It might take a fairly
long time to complete it
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