Imperial Meal Practices in History

The video explores the dining customs of the Imperial family in the Forbidden City, focusing on the Ming and Ching Dynasties. It describes the elaborate meal protocols, including the number of dishes and the role of eunuchs in serving the emperor. The video also discusses the fate of leftover dishes, which were distributed to various establishments outside the palace, highlighting the social and economic aspects of these practices.

Which dynasties are primarily discussed in the context of meal practices in the Forbidden City?

• Han and Yuan Dynasties

• Ming and Qing Dynasties

• Tang and Song Dynasties

• Zhou and Qin Dynasties

How many meals did some Qing Dynasty emperors typically have in a day?

• Three meals

• One meal

• Two meals

• Four meals

What was the original number of dishes in a proper imperial meal during the Qing Dynasty?

• 120 dishes

• 100 dishes

• 80 dishes

• 64 dishes

Who were responsible for serving the emperor during meals?

• Royal guards

• Imperial chefs

• Eunuchs

• Court officials

How did the emperor indicate his choice of dish during meals?

• By speaking its name

• By looking at it

• By writing it down

• By pointing at it

What was the protocol for court officials when receiving leftover dishes from the emperor?

• They could eat it at their leisure

• They had to eat it while seated

• They had to eat it at a separate table and remain standing

• They could refuse the dish

What was the significance of the food bestowed by the emperor to others?

• It was a way to dispose of excess food

• It was a form of punishment

• It was considered an imperial gift

• It was a common practice

What type of establishments purchased the premium tier of untouched imperial dishes?

• High-end restaurants

• Regular restaurants

• Local markets

• Street vendors

How were middle-tier dishes from the palace typically sold?

• As part of a special menu

• Without highlighting their imperial origin

• At a discounted price

• As street food

What was unique about the least prestigious leftovers sold to smaller merchants?

• They were made with inferior ingredients

• They were often recooked or modified

• They were only available to the royal family

• They were sold at the highest price