Rice Gruel in Chinese Food and Culture

As one of the typical Chinese food, rice gruel endows rich culture images. Gruel-eating can be concluded to 6 aspects: the food fur the old, the food fur the weak and the ill, the food for good health and longevity, the food for the hermits and monks; the food far the poor, and the food for enjoyment. In a modem society, the health implication of gruel eating gives many inspirations to medical workers, nutritionist and food manufacturers. People expect the gruels make more contributions to a balanced, diversified, convenient and healthy modem diet.