Q 01/05

Which Chinese scholar mentioned dumplings in a poem about 1,700 years ago?

A) Shu Xi

B) Li Bai

C) Du Fu

D) Sima Qian

Answer · why

A) Shu Xi

His fu poem is one of the oldest written references to the food anywhere.

Q 02/05

Preserved dumplings over 1,000 years old were found in tombs at which Chinese site?

A) Luoyang

B) Turfan

C) Xi'an

D) Dunhuang

Answer · why

B) Turfan

The Xinjiang oasis's dry climate preserved the Six Dynasties-era food.

Q 03/05

Jiaozi are traditionally credited to which Han-dynasty figure?

A) A wandering Buddhist monk

B) A frontier garrison soldier

C) A medicine practitioner

D) An imperial palace cook

Answer · why

C) A medicine practitioner

Zhang Zhongjing is said to have made them one winter to help the poor, who lacked warm clothes and enough food.

Q 04/05

What ailment were the original jiaozi meant to treat, hence their old name?

A) Rotten teeth

B) Winter fever

C) Chronic indigestion

D) Frostbitten ears

Answer · why

D) Frostbitten ears

Zhang Zhongjing saw common people suffering in winter without warm clothes or enough food.

Q 05/05

Jiaozi symbolise wealth because they resemble what?

A) Gold and silver ingots

B) Strings of copper coins

C) Freshwater pearls

D) Bowls of harvest rice

Answer · why

A) Gold and silver ingots

The boat-shaped sycee were the money of Imperial China, which is why the dumplings star at New Year in the north.