A new CGTN documentary titled "Taiwan Through the Ages: Savoring Nostalgia" explores the island of Taiwan's cultural identity through its vibrant food traditions, revealing deep-rooted historical connections with the Chinese mainland. The three-part series uses local delicacies like beef noodle soup and oyster omelets as narrative anchors to trace shared culinary practices across the Taiwan Strait.
Through interviews with chefs, historians, and residents of Taiwan, the film highlights how recipes passed down through generations reflect centuries of cross-strait exchanges. One segment examines Fujianese influences on Taiwan's street food culture, while another documents tea ceremonies preserving Ming Dynasty traditions.
"Food becomes a living archive of our collective memory," remarks a featured anthropologist, emphasizing how family recipes carried by early migrants from the Chinese mainland helped shape Taiwan's gastronomic landscape. The documentary avoids political commentary, instead focusing on cultural continuity through everyday practices.
This culinary journey comes as interest in regional heritage grows among younger generations. With over 1.2 million social media engagements for #TaiwanThroughTheAges, the series has sparked discussions about preservation of shared traditions in modern Asia.
