So, how come there is no cheese in my Chinese food?
For the same reason that there aren’t any turnips in it I suppose ?
But I know what you mean though.
http://www.globalpolicy.org/globaliz/cultural/2003/1211chinacheese.htm
So you’re asking why don’t the Chinese eat much cheese? Hmmm, can’t say I know really. They do have their own cheeses (mostly goat rather than cow) but can’t really say why as a nation they don’t eat very much.
This article gives several reasons for the traditional absence of dairy in the Chinese diet: expense, dislike of the taste, higher rate of lactose intolerance.
I also recall reading that many Chinese people find the whole idea of eating solidified rotten milk (essentially) to be absolutely disgusting. Fair enough – some of them happily gobble down foods that would turn my stomach too. De gustibus, etc.
hmm… interesting.