We often talk about grains. So what do grains consist of? Are grains five cups or not? In Chinese, grains literally mean five types of seeds. Five is of course five, while grains refer to food seeds or crops. In China, the concept of grains has appeared since ancient times, recorded in classical texts.

Ancient people believed that grains were a gift from the gods, a bridge between humans and nature, carrying deep spiritual significance due to their connection with the five elements. In Vietnam, although there are no clear ancient records like in China, grains are still the foundation of the rice civilization from rice, corn, and soybeans. These seeds not only nourish the people but also appear in folk songs, proverbs, and traditional rituals. Grains in Vietnam carry a strong imprint of connection to the land, ancestors, and homeland.

So what exactly are grains?

According to traditional Chinese beliefs, grains typically include golden millet, common millet, rice, wheat, and soybeans. In Vietnam, the list may vary slightly, including rice, wheat, soybeans, corn, and millet or mung beans depending on the region and period. But the most interesting thing is not the list itself but the stories behind them.

China is the cradle of grain culture, and it is no surprise that these seeds appear in countless stories, legends, and historical anecdotes. The most famous anecdote about grains is undoubtedly the story of Shen Nong, the legendary god of China. It is said that in ancient times, when humans lived by hunting and gathering, life was extremely precarious, filled with hunger and disease, causing the people to suffer. Shen Nong, with his compassion for the people, decided to go to the mountains to taste hundreds of plants to find seeds that could sustain humanity.

According to the historical records of Sima Qian, Shen Nong tasted thousands of plants, even getting poisoned dozens of times in a single day. In the end, he discovered five special types of seeds: golden millet, common millet, rice, wheat, and soybeans. He taught the people how to plant, irrigate, and process them into food. Thanks to that, humanity escaped poverty, and agriculture was born. Ancient people believed that each type of seed given by Shen Nong was associated with an element in the five elements.

For example, rice is associated with water because it requires a lot of water to grow. Wheat is associated with fire because it provides energy. Soybeans are associated with wood, as they grow vigorously. The story of Shen Nong is not only a myth but also a reminder of gratitude towards heaven and earth. Today, in many rural areas of China, people still hold festivals to worship Shen Nong in the spring, offering dishes made from grains such as millet porridge, rice cakes, or tofu to pray for a bountiful harvest.

Among the grains, common millet is considered the king of grains in ancient times. Millet is an important seed in ancestor and deity worship rituals. An interesting anecdote related to millet is the story of Duke Zhou, who helped the Zhou dynasty consolidate power after overthrowing the Shang dynasty around the 11th century BC. It is said that after the Zhou dynasty ascended to the throne, Duke Zhou wanted to thank heaven and earth and the ancestors for their blessings. He organized a grand worship ceremony, in which millet was used to make sacrificial wine and offerings. Ancient people believed that millet was a bridge between humans and the gods. This ritual not only had spiritual significance but also helped the Zhou dynasty assert its power, as the worship of grains was seen as a symbol of legitimacy and harmony with nature.

Or soybeans, which are associated with an interesting story about Mencius, the famous philosopher. According to legend, Mencius's mother was a wise and loving woman. When Mencius was young, the family was poor and could not afford meat. To ensure her son had enough nutrition, she created tofu from soybeans, a cheap yet suitable dish. Tofu not only nourished Mencius but also helped him gain the strength to become one of the greatest philosophers alongside his intellect. Although this story is legendary, it shows the role of soybeans in the lives of the people.

Soybeans are called the meat of the poor because from these small seeds, people can make tofu, soy milk, soy sauce, and other essential dishes in Chinese cuisine. Wheat also has an interesting anecdote related to Lanzhou pulled noodles, a symbol of Gansu cuisine. It is said that during the Tang dynasty, a poor chef in Lanzhou invented a way to pull noodles from wheat flour to serve travelers on the Silk Road. He believed that wheat, associated with fire, brought energy and warmth, so the noodles had to be eaten hot in a fragrant broth.

The story of Lanzhou pulled noodles is not only about cuisine but also about creativity. From a simple seed, the Chinese have transformed wheat into hundreds of dishes. Noodles, buns, fried dough sticks, steamed buns. Each dish is a testament to skill and creativity. Today, Lanzhou pulled noodles have become an intangible cultural heritage of China, with noodle-pulling artisans performing skillful movements like an art dance. Rice, on the other hand, is the soul of Chinese cuisine in a different way.

An interesting anecdote related to rice is the story of Dou Kang, who is considered the ancestor of rice wine. According to legend, during the Xia dynasty, Dou Kang accidentally discovered how to ferment rice into wine. One time, he forgot a batch of cooked rice in a jar. After a few days, the rice fermented and created a fragrant liquid. Dou Kang tasted it and realized it was a wonderful drink. Dou Kang's rice wine quickly became a gift for kings and was used in sacrificial rituals. Ancient people believed that rice wine not only intoxicated people but also helped them connect with the gods. This story inspired the idiom "Dou Kang relieves sorrow," meaning Dou Kang's wine dispels sadness. It reminds us that rice not only nourishes the body but also nurtures the spirit.

In Vietnam, grains, especially rice, are not only food but also a symbol of culture and the soul of the nation.

Although there are not many ancient records like in China, folk stories, folk songs, and legends have depicted the role of grains in the lives of the Vietnamese people. The most famous anecdote about grains in Vietnam is the story of Bánh Chưng and Bánh Dày in the legend of King Hùng. According to "Lĩnh Nam Trích Quái," during the reign of the sixth King Hùng, the king wanted to find a successor. He ordered his sons that whoever offered the most meaningful dish would inherit the throne.

While the other brothers sought luxurious delicacies, Lang Liêu, the poor son, dreamed that the gods advised him, teaching him how to use glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork to make Bánh Chưng and glutinous rice to make Bánh Dày. When presented to the king, Bánh Chưng and Bánh Dày were not only delicious but also carried deep meanings of gratitude towards heaven and earth and ancestors. This story not only explains the origin of Bánh Chưng and Bánh Dày, two indispensable dishes in the Vietnamese Lunar New Year but also shows the role of rice and mung beans. Rice, associated with water, symbolizes life, while mung beans, associated with wood, represent fertility.

An interesting fact is that grains are not only important in each country but also a cultural bridge between China and Vietnam.

Since the Han dynasty, when trade between the two countries developed, grains such as rice, wheat, and soybeans have followed merchants and soldiers from China to Vietnam. Conversely, glutinous rice and rice dishes from Vietnam have also influenced the cuisine of southern China. Grains not only appear in cuisine but also serve as inspiration in art and philosophy. In China, ancient paintings often depict images of farmers sowing seeds, rice fields, or grain worship festivals. Today, grains still play an important role but have transformed to fit modern life.

In China, dishes made from grains such as pulled noodles, tofu, and buns are still familiar on the dining table. But alongside that, grains also appear in increasingly popular products today, such as breakfast cereals, nut milk, or oatmeal cookies. Bubble tea shops in China even add millet and milk tea to create unique flavors. In Vietnam, rice remains king, but other grains are also vibrant. Bread, beef pho, mung bean cakes, and soy milk are all evidence of the vitality of grains.

In large cities, you can find cafes serving corn milk, corn cakes, or even whole grain bread. But the dishes are both traditional and modern. Grains also appear in the trend of healthy eating. Products such as brown rice, cashew milk, or oatmeal are favored by young people. Even in both China and Vietnam, vegetarian restaurants often use grains to create delicious and healthy meat substitutes.