level of skill and to a certain extent it was artisanal, demanding fine tuning of skills and finesse, which in turn earned the profession of cook and other similar professions respect amongst their peers.

Recipe books

Cooks in Ming China could learn their trade through the multitude of recipe books and herbal guides that was published during the Ming dynasty. These books and guides were published as a way to promote individual health, and mostly dealt with the health benefits of foods and yangsheng (??), meaning 'nourish life'.

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