What are the five fundamental flavors characterizing Chinese cuisine?

Answer

Sweet, sour, salty, pungent, and bitter

Chinese cuisine places a high value on achieving a specific equilibrium among its primary sensory components. The system mandates the harmonious balance of five fundamental flavor profiles: sweet, sour, salty, pungent, and bitter. This flavor structure is integral to the cuisine's overall philosophy, often intertwining with Daoist concepts like the *yin-yang* balance of food temperatures. Achieving this precise five-flavor harmony differentiates various regional schools within Chinese gastronomy, such as the fiery flavor profiles of Sichuan versus the delicate emphasis found in Cantonese styles.

What are the five fundamental flavors characterizing Chinese cuisine?
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