A Little History of the Spring Roll: A Crunchy Tradition

Imagine China over 1,600 years ago. Winter was ending, and people were preparing to welcome spring. There was a special solar term called the Start of Spring (Lìchūn), and people had a custom—****"Biting the Spring"** (Yǎo chūn)**.

They believed eating fresh vegetables would drive away the cold of winter and bring health and good luck for the new season.

• The Original Version: At first, people would simply eat a plate of fresh spring vegetables (like scallions, garlic, and chives) alongside thin pancakes. This was called the "Spring Plate" (Chūnpán).

• The DIY Wrap: Over time, probably around 500-600 years ago during the Ming Dynasty, the way of eating it became more convenient. People started wrapping the fillings inside the thin pancake to make a roll. It was easier to eat handheld, and the flavors mixed together perfectly. Sometimes they were fried, sometimes not.

• Why "Spring" Roll?: The name is always connected to spring. It symbolizes renewal, new beginnings, and good fortune. Even though we eat them all year round now, they were originally created to celebrate the spring season.

• The Spring Roll Today: Today, spring rolls have evolved into a very popular snack or appetizer. The fillings can be all kinds of things—vegetables, meat, or seafood. The wrapper is fried until golden and crispy, making it one of the most loved items in Chinese restaurants worldwide.

So, next time you bite into a crispy spring roll, know that you're tasting a delicious tradition that's over a thousand years old! It's a bit like a Chinese burrito, but smaller, crunchier, and packed with Asian flavors.