Dining with Asian Food and Wine:   The Dragon Boat Festival

By

Ronald Jan, M. D.

The fifth day of the fifth lunar month usually falls in the first week of June on the Gregorian calendar (Yang Li). This is the day we celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival in China to commemorate Qu Yuan who died in 278 BCE (Before the Common Era). This year the Dragon Boat Festival falls on Friday, June 3 on the Gregorian calendar. [Dragon Boat races. Image from Rove.me]

【Qu Yuan on a Dragon Boat. Image from Wikipedia】

【Qu Yuan by Chen Hong Shou. Image from Wikipedia Commons】

【Wu Zi Xu. Image from Wikipedia】

Although some scholars believe that the first martyr to be celebrated on this day may have been Wu Zi Xu who died 484 BCE from the kingdom of Wu who lived about two hundred years before Qu Yuan.

Still, other scholars believe that it actually all began as a Summer Festival before it ever became a celebration of a martyr.

 

Zongzi (Joong in Cantonese)

Zongzi (Joong in Cantonese) was thrown into the river so that the fish or sea god would not eat the martyr. Whatever the source of the tradition, eating Zongzi is practiced all over China. What is Zongzi? It is glutinous rice usually with stuffing wrapped in bamboo leaves and then boiled/steamed.

 

【Zongzi (Joong in Cantonese)wrapped in green bamboo leaves. Image from ZhiJuePi】

【Zongzi wrapped in brown bamboo leaves. Image from Women’s Health】

 When it comes to pairing the Zongzi (Joong in Cantonese) with wine, the particular stuffing in the glutinous rice will suggest the type of wine to serve…         

If Lop Cheung (Chinese sausage)..

【Lop Cheong Dried, Preserved Chinese Sausage. Image from Stuarte】

                                 Consider a Pinot Noir from Calera’s Ryan Vineyard where the chewiness of the Lop Cheong (Chinese sausage) will beg for a beverage and the fat will soften the small amount of tannin while the berry flavors add to the flavors of the Zongzi.

Pinot Noir (Calera Clone) from Calera’s Ryan Vineyard

【Pinot Noir from Calera’s Ryan Vineyard. Photo courtesy of Ron Jan, M.D.】

                 If salted duck egg yolk…

 

【Salted egg yolk. Image from https://homesteading.com】

【Traditional HoKKien Zongzi (Rice Dumpling with Salted Duck Egg Yolk, Pork & Shiitake Mushroom. Image from Asian Food Network】

Consider a dry white wine such as Chardonnay. If you want to add freshness to the egg yolk flavors, choose a Chablis (Chardonnay from the northern part of Burgundy) with greater acidity…

Chablis

【Chablis (Chardonnay from the northern part of Burgundy). Photo courtesy of Ronald Jan, M.D. 】

If you want to present other flavors to lessen the impact of the egg yolk you might choose a full-bodied Chardonnay from California such as…

Rombauer’s Chardonnay

【California Chardonnay。 Photo courtesy of Ronald Jan, M.D】

Or a Chardonnay from the southern part of Burgundy such as this Pouilly-Fuisse…

【Chardonnay from Pouilly-Fuisse in Maconnais in the southern part of Burgundy. Photo courtesy of Ronald Jan, M.D.】

If sweet red bean(doh sah ) …

 

 

【Zongzi with sweet red bean (doh sah zongzi). Image from Wikipedia 】

                        Consider a late harvest German Riesling such as a Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese. The sweetness of this wonderful wine will balance the sweetness of the sweet bean and the mild acidity will bring an element of freshness.

J.J. Prum’s Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese

【Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese， Photo Courtesy of Ronald Jan, M.D.】 

Often the stuffing includes peanuts, chestnuts, and mushrooms to add additional flavors. Perhaps the best all-around wine to drink with Zongzi may be a sparkling wine—Champagne or Cremant from France, a Sekt from Germany, a Prosecco from Italy, Cava from Spain, Methode Cap Classique from South Africa, or a Sparkling Wine from California, etc. such as…

Schramsberg’s Mirabelle Brut Rose

【Schramsberg’s Mirabelle Brut Rose Sparkling Wine. Photo courtesy of Ronald Jan, M. D.】

A combination of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Northern California Coastal Vineyards just right for the high acidity needed for many of the very best sparkling wines. Here, Schramsberg makes this blend and in the true traditional method of Champagne the secondary fermentation in the bottle yielding a sparkling wine with very small bubbles, wonderful acidity and aromas and flavors of strawberries and raspberries.

In Sacramento for those who wish to purchase Zongzi (Joong in Cantonese), Vinh Phat Market (featuring Chinese and Vietnamese foods) sells Vietnamese style Joong with Pork Shoulder and Mung Beans. Vinh Phat Market sells the Zongzi (Joong in Cantonese) either large rectangular or the more familiar triangular shape as shown below.

 

【Vienamese rectangular- shaped Zhongzi (Joong in Cantonese). Photo courtesy of Ronald Jan, M.D.】

 

In her Vietnamese style Zongzi (Joong in Cantonese), Su Ying, co-owner of Vinh Phat Market states that the rice and the mung bean are combined with pork (which may be fried or broiled first), then wrapped in banana leaves (more readily available in the U.S. than large bamboo leaves) tied by string/ribbon, then steamed for 8 to 12 hours….ready to reheat and serve.

【Zongzi (Joong in Cantonese) from Vinh Phat. Photo courtesy of Ronald Jan, M.D. 】

Yes, the Dragon Boat Festival is also celebrated in Vietnam [recall that the kingdom of Yue in China during the Warring States Period included Vietnam]. As you can see, the Vietnamese style Zongzi (Joong in Cantonese) come in two sizes and shapes…a larger rectangular shape and a more traditional triangular shape both stuffed with Pork Shoulder and Mung Beans. Although Zongzi (Joong in Cantonese) is often stuffed with many other ingredients such as peanuts, the commercial Joong may not contain peanuts in deference to the customer who may have a peanut allergy.

This Zongzi (Joong in Cantonese) would go very well with this California Sparkling Wine

【Schramsberg Brut Rose Sparkling Wine from California. Photo courtesy of Ronald Jan， M.D. 】

The acid and lively spritz will add freshness to the Joong without overpowering its flavors and allow the flavors of the Zongzi (Joong in Cantonese) to show through while contributing subtle flavors of strawberries and raspberries.

And so, this year the Dragon Boat Festival’s Zongzi (Joong) can be celebrated with a bottle of Sparkling wine from Schramsberg! Try this combination for a wonderful new experience! Happy Dragon Boat Festival!!

About the author: Dr. Ronald G. Jan who specializes in Vascular Surgery is a Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of California at Davis School of Medicine. As a hobby, he holds WSET level 3 certification in wines and has been writing and publishing wine commentaries attracting lots of readers.

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【《We Chinese in America》Media Editor Tang Zhao, May 25, 2022】Per County of San Diego Communications Office, San Diego County became the first coastal county in the nation this week to start using a rapid, DNA-based ocean-water testing technology that will produce faster results and earlier warnings to protect beachgoers when bacteria levels reach unhealthy levels in ocean water.( Ocean water is tested using San Diego County’s new system. Image from County of San Diego Communications Office,)

County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Nora Vargas, County Public Health Officer Dr. Wilma J. Wooten, officials from the County’s public health lab, its Department of Environmental Health and Quality, and others gathered Wednesday morning near the Imperial Beach Pier for the announcement.

Vargas said the County plans to expand its use Thursday of the DNA-based droplet-digital polymerase chain reaction testing technology — ddPCR — to more than 70 miles of shoreline the County regularly samples and tests to protect the public.

The new system will let the County sample beach water in the morning, get results and warn the public by the afternoon instead of the next day.

Officials said the DNA-based system is also more sensitive to bacteria levels than the older method, which required growing bacterial cultures from water samples in petri dishes.

“I’m happy to announce with today’s sampling, San Diego becomes the first coastal county in the nation to implement the ddPCR method for beach water sampling,” Vargas said Wednesday to applause.

“Faster results,” she said, “are going to allow the County to issue or lift beach advisories on the same day samples were collected. And it reduces the time the public could unknowingly be at risk and … when the water is contaminated.”

The County’s Public Health laboratory and the state conducted a side-by-side study of how the DNA testing compared to the petri-dish system in 2019.

The California Department of Public Health gave the new system its final laboratory approval in February, clearing the way for the County to expand its use of the process.

For more information about the County’s beach water quality testing program and check local conditions, visit the County’s “Check In Before You Get In” website at sdbeachinfo.com. 

(Source: County of San Diego Communications Office)

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【《We Chinese in America》Media Editor Tang Zhao, May 26, 2022】Per County of San Diego Communications Office, the County of San Diego garnered 61 Achievement Awards this year including a Best in Category nod from the National Association of Counties, which recognizes innovative county government programs. (Photo credit: County of San Diego Communications Office.)

“As a County, we are always striving to identify and offer needed programs and services for our region, so it is validating to receive recognition from the National Association of Counties for 61 programs addressing varying issues such as the environment, community engagement, community assistance, building up our youth, and certainly public health,” Board of Supervisors Chair Nathan Fletcher said. “Our workforce is rising up to the challenge and continues to innovate to meet emerging issues.”

A San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector program set in a video game-style virtual environment to engage employees enrolled in the County’s deferred compensation plan into choosing an asset allocation strategy won a Best in Category Award for NACo’s Employment and Training category. The Investing Learn to Earn Virtual Event was created and implemented when many employees were working remotely due to the pandemic and was a way to provide information that can seem too complex to some and hinder financial wellness.

The County received the awards in 15 categories. More than a dozen are programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support the region’s workforce, employers, renters, and public health providers, systems and scientists. Other programs streamlined County processes to benefit users, supported youth and families, protected the environment including agriculture, addressed housing insecurity and emergency preparedness.

Below is the full list of programs honored:

Best in Category (Employment and Training):

• Investing Learn to Earn Virtual Event – Treasurer Tax Collector

Children and Youth Category:

• Achievement CentersPromote Positive Youth Development – Probation
• Child Support Strives to Empower Youth with Dreams– Child Support Services
• Fostering Academic Success in Education – Child Welfare Services

Civic and Public Information Category:

• “Academia del Alguacil”Sheriff’s Academy – Sheriff’s Department
• Project Clean Water Stormwater Behavior Change Campaign – Public Works

Community and Economic Development Category: 

• Child Support Services Expands Customer Service Delivery Model– Child Support Services
• Meter Lab COVID-19 Safe Operation Plan – Agriculture, Weights & Measures
• Revitalization and Assistance Program Grant – Planning and Development Services
• Simplifying the Building Permit Process for Code Violations -Planning and Development Services
• Zoning Flexibility During COVID-19 Impact – Planning and Development Services

County Administration and Management Category: 

• Agricultural Lab Improvement Plan – Agriculture, Weights & Measures
• Collaborating to Protect Citrus – Agriculture, Weights and Measures
• County of San Diego COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance and Utility Program(ERAP) – Housing and Community Development
• County of San Diego COVID-19 Security Deposit Assistance Program(SDAP) – Housing and Community Development
• Innovative Housing Trust Fund(IHTF) – Housing and Community Services
• Issue Resolution Process – Planning and Development Services

County Resiliency Category:

• Electric Vehicle Consumer Guide– Planning and Development Services
• Accelerate to Zero Emissions Regional Collaboration – Planning and Development Services
• Free Unwanted Pesticide Disposal Event – Agriculture, Weights and Measures
• Landscaping Ordinance Update – Land Use &Environment
• Monitor-Based Commissioning Program – General Services
• Waterscape Rebate Program Pilot – Public Works

Criminal Justice and Public Safety Category:

• The Community Care Coordination for Veterans (C3V) Program – Health and Human Services

Health Category:

• Academic Detailing by ZIP Code: A Novel Approach to Reduce COVID-19 Health Disparities – Health and Human Services
• Collaboration Between Pharmacy and County to improve COVID-19 Vaccination Access – Health and Human Services
• Community Health Worker Model/Project SAVE– Office of Strategy and Innovation
• COVID-19 Cross-Border Vaccination Efforts – Health and Human Services
• Eye Gnat Trap Improvements – Environmental Health
• Health Care Provider Status Team – Health and Human Services
• Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Programs – Public Health Services
• Mobile Monoclonal Antibody Team – Health and Human Services
• Monoclonal Antibody Regional Centers: Collaborating for Equitable COVID-19 Therapy – Health and Human Services
• Operationalizing the Live Well San Diego Framework in Response to a Pandemic – Health and Human Services
• Pharmacy Leadership Network – Health and Human Services
• San Diego Health CARES Initiative – Public Health Services
• The County of San Diego COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy – Health and Human Services

Human Services Category:

• Housing Our Youth(HOY) – Health and Human Services
• Regional Homeless Services– Health and Human Services
• Storefront Service Delivery Model – Regional Operations
• Tenant Peer Support Services (TPSS) – Behavioral Health Services

Information Technology Category:

• Account Auto-Provisioning – County Technology Office
• JELS Child Welfare eDocument Transfer – County Technology Office
• Plan Check Digital Review Portal – Environmental Health
• Submeter Applications – Agriculture, Weights & Measures
• Virtual Assistant using Artificial Intelligence – Eligibility Operations Administration

Libraries Category:

• Little Free Libraries– Library
• Story Trails – Library

Parks and Recreation Category:

• Tijuana River Valley Regional Park Campground– Parks and Recreation
• Tour Our Trails Challenge – Parks and Recreation

Personnel Management, Employment and Training Category

• Mastering the Art of Remote Work – Health and Human Services
• Virtual Hiring Halls – Eligibility Operations Administration
• Virtual Universal Initial Training – Eligibility Operations Administration

Planning Category:

• Proposed Ordinance Changes to Provide Final Engineering Flexibility -Planning & Development Services
• Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement (PACE) Program– Planning & Development Services
• Sixth Cycle Housing Element – Planning and Development Services

Risk and Emergency Management Category

• Establishment of a Response Team for COVID Cases at Places of Employment – Public Health Services
• Migrant Protection Program/Entry Without Inspection COVID-19 Response Team – Public Health Services
• Public Safety Power Shutoff Regional Resiliency Project and Report – Office of Emergency Services
• ShakeReadySD Early Earthquake Warning for SD EmergencyMobile Application – Office of Emergency Services

Transportaion Category:

• Building Better Roads Program– Public Works

(Source: County of San Diego Communications Office)

(Source: World News Network)

(Source: USAREC Public Affairs)

(Source: Harvard Medical School)

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【《We Chinese in America》Media Editor Tang Zhao, May 24, 2022】Per County of San Diego Communications Office, county Board of Supervisors Chair Nathan Fletcher, Vice Chair Nora Vargas, students from Mt. Miguel High School, its Adult Transitional School, park officials and eager visitors celebrated the opening of Ildica County Park Friday in Spring Valley.(Photo from County of San Diego Communications Office)

The newest, roughly half-acre County park was created to give Spring Valley families and residents a new space to play, grow things in its community garden area, exercise, meet others and enjoy nature. Spring Valley residents helped design the new park by prioritizing what features they wanted it to have through County meetings and surveys.

Some of Ildica’s features include 22 newly planted native trees, oaks and sycamores; drought-tolerant native landscaping nourished by a water-conserving irrigation system; a walking path; lighting; and a community garden with 20 gardening plots. It also includes an exercise station; a covered picnic area and covered play area with an Earth-friendly permeable play surface that will let rain percolate through it naturally, rather than running off or pooling.

Fletcher, Vargas and parks officials held an official ribbon-cutting to open the park, followed by a gardening presentation by adult transitional school students and a walking tour of the park.

“One thing we’ve seen over the last few years is the importance of our local and regional parks,” Fletcher said. “We want to create more opportunities for San Diegans to spend time outside; to stand in the sun and breathe in fresh air. There is an immediate physical reaction, but nature also helps us to focus and find peace.”

Vargas added, “Places like this unite residents of all ages, interests and backgrounds,” Vargas said. “They strengthen community and foster relationships. More important, they eliminate barriers for underserved populations by providing free access to quality recreation.”

Ildica County Park is located at the corner Ildica Street and Sweetwater Road and will be open to the public seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. The park has four parking spaces, including one for people with disabilities.

For more information about County parks, go to their website at sdparks.org.

(Source: County of San Diego Communications Office)

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