Subtle flavors of Tan cuisine an overlooked treat

Tan Family Cuisine, a cooking style that is still largely unknown to many people, even Chinese, is not only a part of Beijing cuisine, but also one of China's best culinary heritages. This elite form of cooking dates back to the Qing Dynasty when Tan Zongjun (1846-1888), a native of Guangdong province, secured a high position in the Qing court as an administrative bureaucrat and moved to the capital. He was known to have a passion for delicacies that required a complex and long cooking process. Tan spent much of his time entertaining and hosting lavish banquets and guests and friends were impressed with the food he served.