Anyway, whenever the book went on about soy sauce for awhile I almost completely lost interest. I couldn't really find how to apply soy sauce to my life or see how this would effect society. After I read on though, it was mentioned that the condiments were used to stretch salt. So after that, I stopped being so negative about the whole thing and realized that maybe it was significant. I will thank the Chinese, however, for their contribution to the pickling phenomenon. I do enjoy the occasional pickle. Every little thing, such as the condiments and the pickling actually really were important because they were the beginning of salt's impact on society.
Seriously though, I was amazed at how much of an impact salt really did have on their society, especially how it created the whole debate about the need for taxing and the argument that it was against morals. They needed to tax to make money so that they could keep up with their countries modern needs, but some felt it was unnecessary and wrong to force the citizens to pay so much for something that was a necessity to them. I really didn't think I would say this when I began reading this book, but now I'm hooked and i believe it will be moderately interesting to learn more about this. I still don't understand what inspired this guy to write a book about salt history though.
I found it necessary to post a picture of some soy sauce for dramatic effect.
8 comments:
Bahahahaha. I like that you put a picture of soy sauce. I know what you mean about almost losing interest during that part. All I could think about was when my parents got into a fight about the sodium content of soy sauce. It made me giggle. It is really strange how such a common place thing had such a big effect on Chinese culture, and ultimately, the world. Interesting stuff here, eh? :)
marry me?
The soy sauce bottle added a great dramatic effect.
I like how you are all sweet at first then slam the Chinese for pickling. I never thought of beef jerky before but now that you mention it I guess it does relate. I'm pretty upset with the Chinese right now since they ruined my joy of salt.
I think that either way salt would have been found, same with pickling. I lost interest at the title so this book better get better.
I would have thanked the Chinese for salt but they abused it as soon as they taxed it and started a crazy monopoly. The government was very corrupt and treated the people like crap.
Erica I think you are such a liar. I bet you won't be interested in this book at all :p
Blog ya later
Erica I completely agree with the whole soy sauce thing. I almost lost it and did not want to continue to read the book if it was going to be like that. It eventually got a little bit like you kind of said, but hey I love the picture.
First off, I do love that picture of soy sauce. I too did lose interst when it talked about the soy sauce. Although, I think that the worst part of the book was when it was going on and on about who ruled and what they did with the salt. Salt, salt, salt. That is what the Chinese love. They love it for money. $$$ is what they see! I think that it did get to be rediculous how much they went into the sale of salt.
I seem to be disagreeing with everyone about the soy sauce part. I was surfing the blogosphere (pahahah) and found that a lot of people found that section "dry." Literally, soy sauce is wet. But also, i might be the only soy sauce enthusiast.
I'll conduct a quick experiment.
[What are your feelings about soy sauce?]
Nicole: "I love it. I love it. I take much more than a serving size, and not only do i put it on my rice, but i put it on my chicken that is on my rice. Somedays i feel like i want to marry it."
I must stop now, i'd like to pretend that wasn't a direct quote.
It was.
[What are your feelings about soy sauce?]
Kay: "Soy sauce? Um.. Twee Twah. Um.. Soy sauce and um"
Me: "And what?"
Kay: "Soy sauce."
There is no one else in the room.
[Would you enjoy reading a section on the origin of soy sauce?]
Nicole: "No."
Kay: "Soy soy sauce. A K J Soy sauce. umm.."
She is repeating herself a lot now.
I'm about done. Because you are one of my besties, i thought i would address my concerns on our collegues' lack of interest in soy sauce.
the picture of soy sauce was delightful
although the part about soy sauce i really fancied
salt is mucho importante
i believe we should throw a party
in honor of NaCl.
YOU WROTE: "To us, salt is taken lightly because we can easily obtain it. Sometimes too easily because it's in everything."
The point of Mr. K's quest is to make something so simple and commmon in today's world seem so different or precious to those historic times. In the future, people will look back on us and say, "Those silly people kept running around trying to drill more oil." or some such.
Salt is a preservative, or at least before refridgeration it was the only preservative. As for losing interest with soy sauce, I expect an honors student to be able to push through something like that and stay focused. Yes, please do try to not to be negative. It affects your ability to look at the subject matter objectively.
Salt like anything of value (much like today) was taxed as a great money maker. Today EVERYTHING is taxed so Uncle Sam can make money.
As to Mr. K's inspiration, he writes history books for a living, and makes a lot more money than most folks do writing NY Times best sellers. Reason enough?
Mr. Farrell
I really didn't think I would say this when I began reading this book, but now I'm hooked and i believe it will be moderately interesting to learn more about this. I still don't understand what inspired this guy to write a book about salt history though.
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