ChinaPulse.com

QUESTION:
We all know that the Chinese place great importance on food. The development of the various Chinese cuisines is a clear testament to how loved food is and its role in families and friendship.

But food has been used for many nefarious means throughout Chinese history. Those seeking to overthrow emperors often tried to use poisoned foods to achieve their aims. More than one Chinese leader has succumbed to this nasty practice.

Other than employing tasters to try each dish before the emperor, what other method was thought to be able to detect the presence of poisoned foods?

A. Frying all foods in 'palace oil' before they were served;
B. A celadon dish;
C. Saying a prayer to the gods before eating;
D. Litmus paper.

ANSWERS:
B is the answer you were looking for. It was believed by the ancient Chinese that if a celadon dish - glazed jade-colored stoneware prized for its beauty - contained poisoned food, the vessel would break or change color.